Atlantic City's $38M Beach Restoration Begins as Casino Season Ends
The US Army Corps of Engineers has begun a crucial beach restoration project in Atlantic City, addressing severe erosion issues that have plagued casino properties along the northern Boardwalk.
Heavy machinery on beach skyline
Houston-based Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company secured a $38.2 million contract to deposit 1.2 million cubic yards of sand across Absecon Island's beaches, stretching from Atlantic City to Longport. This massive undertaking equals roughly 120,000 dump trucks of sand.
The project addresses complaints from casino operators and guests about diminishing beach space since the last restoration in 2020. Ocean, Hard Rock, and Resorts casinos have been particularly affected, with beach space becoming critically limited during peak summer seasons.
Climate change has accelerated the need for more frequent sand replenishment, as intensified storm surges continue to erode the shoreline. The situation became so dire that Ocean Casino Resort invested over $600,000 in May 2023 to relocate nearly 13,000 tons of sand in front of their property.
The restoration project includes:
- Dredging sand from Absecon Inlet and Atlantic Ocean locations
- Widening beaches along the northern Boardwalk
- Restoring dunes near Margate City and Longport
- Rebuilding beach access paths and dune crossovers
- Planting dune grass to prevent future erosion
The Army Corps expects to complete the project by January 2025, providing a much-needed solution for Atlantic City's beachfront, which remains crucial to the resort destination's appeal amid increasing regional casino competition and declining gaming profits.
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