A Step Toward 'Normalcy,' Ortley Boardwalk Reconstruction Contract Awarded

Plans to have a portion of Ortley Beach's boardwalk open by June 1 are underway, now that a $953,760 contract has been awarded for its reconstruction.

The contract to rebuild Toms River's stretch of boardwalk, which was devastated by Superstorm Sandy, was awarded by the Township Council to New Brunswick firm Tekton Development Corp. Tuesday. 

"We will have our beach open between 3rd and 5th Avenues, hopefully by Memorial Day, so we're happy to get the boardwalk project underway," said Mayor Thomas Kelaher.

The contract requires the northerly 600 feet of boardwalk — the area by the 3rd Avenue parking lot — to be complete by June 1 of this year. That portion is being focused on first because the township said it plans to have the beach area there open this summer. The remainder of the reconstruction must be completed no later than Aug. 15.

"The remaining area was less time critical since access to that area will be contingent upon the reconstruction of Ocean Terrace/Avenue," said township engineer Robert Chankalian. "We will of course shoot to have things done earlier."

A FEMA reimbursement to Toms River of between 75 to 90 percent of the cost to reconstruct the boardwalk is expected, but the exact percentage has not yet been determined. The Township Council approved a $38 million bond Tuesday which will be used to complete various capital projects — mostly rebuilding damaged municipal roads, utilities and structures including the boardwalk. 

"The boardwalk rebuilding project is important because it will start to bring a sense of normalcy back to the Ortley Beach," Kelaher said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, but the boardwalk is one of our landmarks that residents, and visitors alike, expect to see as they approach the beach area."

Tekton is ready to begin the project and the township is waiting on insurance and bonding before work can start, according to Chankalian. The township plans to hold a start up meeting Friday to discuss the plans.

A local environmentalist expressed concerns to the council about the type of wood being used in the project, given the controversy other towns, like Belmar, have faced. 

"We are aware of those issues," Chankalian said, adding that the Brazilian Garapa wood slated for use in the project has been harvested in a sustainable manner. Further, the project was reviewed by FEMA and approved.

Belmar was slated to use Ipe, harvested from rainforest trees, to rebuild its boardwalk but switched to another wood after pressure from environmentalists.

Township Council President George Wittmann said that the Brazilian Garapa wood planned for Ortley "is harvested in a controlled fashion."

"We feel that we're on very firm ground and are correct" in using the wood, said township attorney Kenneth Fitzsimmons.