Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Harry, Christie survey the damage and have some fun
JERSEY SHORE -- Britain's Prince Harry did what most people would do on a sunny, spring day in Seaside Heights—take in the ocean views, then play some boardwalk games. Harry came to Seaside Heights with Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday morning after the two toured destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy in Mantoloking. The pair drove south on Route 35 and entered the boardwalk at Grant Avenue where crowds of people were waiting for their arrival. "Prince Harry, we love you," shouted one small girl who was holding a welcome sign. Standing next to her was an Elvis Presley impersonator, hoping to attract some attention of his own from the prince. Harry and Christie were greeted by local officials, who escorted the pair out to Casino Pier, the site …
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Security will be tight, however, report says
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Tuesday, May 7
Britain's Prince Harry will visit Mantoloking and Seaside Heights during a May 14 visit to New Jersey to survey damage from Superstorm Sandy, a report from The Associated Press said Monday. Mantoloking Mayor George Nebel said Gov. Christie will accompany the prince on a brief walk down Barnegat Lane – which runs along Barnegat Bay – and then head to Seaside Heights, according to the report. Security will be tight and local residents will most likely not be able to see the prince, the news organization reported. Christie's office told Patch Monday that the details of the prince's visit were being handled by the British consulate in New York City. Patch contacted and left a message with the consulate's press office on the matter. Christie, …
Reconstruction will take place after Labor Day, but DOT will work on drainage, pump stations during summer
The state is postponing Route 35 reconstruction until after Labor Day, a welcome relief to local officials and business people who feared that the work would cause massive traffic delays all summer. "I'm very happy," said Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis. "This is more than enough of a change, even if they start the day after Labor Day." He and other local officials and business owners had also been concerned the state Department of Transportation (DOT) road work would kill parking spaces on Route 35, just as businesses are hoping a robust summer tourism season can help them recover from Superstorm Sandy. Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Vincent Barrella had more of a mixed reaction. "I'm pleased, but disappointed they didn't let me know," said …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Intact home has been in the bay since Superstorm Sandy struck
The Mantoloking house that was swept, intact, into Barnegat Bay and has since been wedged against an island will be gone by Friday afternoon, demolition experts said Thursday. A crew from CrowderGulf, the contractor hired by the state Department of Environmental Protection to clear waterway debris from northern Barnegat Bay, began work to remove the two-story house Thursday. State and local officials held a ceremony to mark the occasion. The home, sitting in the water about 200 feet from the edge of the bay, is one of eight nearly intact homes that Sandy pushed into the water statewide. Two other virtually intact Mantoloking homes were swept into Barnegat Bay, while one home in Monmouth County's Union Beach was pushed into Raritan Bay. …
Monday, April 22, 2013
Traffic lights no longer blinking on bulk of barrier island
It's one of those unique "Shore local" problems: when the traffic lights stop blinking each spring, one has to remember to come to a full and complete stop - and most importantly, wait for the light to turn green again. In a small sign of normalcy following Route 35's reopening after surrounding neighborhoods were hard hit by Superstorm Sandy at the end of October, traffic signals are no longer blinking amber and red. Last week, the lights in Brick, Toms River and Lavallette were all changed back over to their solid red-or-green modes. Since then, speed limits have risen in each of those towns from 25 m.p.h. – a limit imposed following Sandy – back to 45 m.p.h. in the southbound lanes and a mix of speeds between 30 and 45 m.p.h. in the …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
VIDEO: Water rushes in Manasquan Inlet, no dune washovers yet, transformer blows along Route 35 near Ocean Beach Shores
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Daniel Nee
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Wednesday, March 6
Water rushed quickly into Manasquan Inlet as winds began to gust, and ocean waves crashed hard against the shore, nearly reaching dune berms that had been pushed up to mitigate potential damage as a nor'easter began to make its presence known at the Jersey Shore. Back bay water levels ran low at low tide however, though they were expected to reach several feet above normal at high tide Wednesday. As high tide approached on the oceanfront, no washover was observed on Route 35, however there were scattered reports of power outages. A transformer blew and wires could be seen arcing along Route 35 South near Toms River's Ocean Beach Shores neighborhood.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The $215 million project, which will include installing a new and improved drainage system, is expected to be completed by the summer of 2015
Governor Christie announced Tuesday that Route 35, from Point Pleasant Beach to South Seaside Park in Berkeley, will be completely rebuilt. The $215 million project, which will include installing a new and improved drainage system, is expected to be completed by the summer of 2015. Funding will come from federal sources, Christie said. The governor announced the project at a press conference held with Ocean County officials at the Lavallette Fire Company building, a block away from the state highway that is the focus of the reconstruction project. The new highway will be 24 inches thick, including asphalt pavement and the stabilizing sub-base materials. The Christie administration said it will do its best to minimize summer disruptions, …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Several tickets for 'unwanted tourism,' officials say
Police in Mantoloking have issued 36 summonses and made seven arrests since the full reopening of Route 35 through the storm-damaged borough. Chris Nelson, special counsel for the borough's recovery effort, said at a borough council meeting Tuesday that the summonses include 12 issued for "unwanted tourism" and four for "scrapping." The borough is defining unwanted tourism as motorists stopping their vehicles to take pictures of the destruction from Superstorm Sandy. Scrapping refers to motorists who enter the borough to illegally take away pieces of scrap metal. "For the first time in my life, I saw a woman in her Mercedes driving 50 m.p.h. along Route 35 filming the length of the borough of Mantoloking," said Nelson. A 25 m.p.h. speed …
Friday, January 25, 2013
Recovery and repair underway
Those who do not live near the Jersey Shore may have their lives back to normal nearly three months after Superstorm Sandy struck. But for locals, a simple ride along Route 35 northbound from Normandy Beach into Mantoloking is a reminder of the devastation that still exists for many year-round and part-time residents.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Service line work, meter replacements progressing
New Jersey American Water Company has reported that its work in the Brick and Toms River sections of the northern barrier island are on track. While water service has been restored to the mains island wide, some side streets still needed work and service to some homes needed to be restored as residents repopulated. "Restoration of service lines and water meters in Brick and Toms River is progressing well," the company said in a statement. As part of the ongoing work in Toms River's Ortley Beach section, NJAW crews will begin using GPS devices to "pre locate" meters, valves and hydrants, the company said. The one town that does not have water service at all is Mantoloking Borough, due to the fact that sewer lines have not yet been repaired…
Ed Minall
11:14 am on Thursday, May 16, 2013
I respect the Prince for his military service and his work with charities. However, he tours the shore area which probably cost the Shore Towns/State tens of thousands in OT for police etc. Goes to CT the next day and makes millions from US companies for his international charities at a Polo match. Then heads back to the UK the same day. Where is there an upside for his shore visit? I would have … more ›