Wildwood Boardwalk Connector Project Finally Coming!

Big news for Wildwood! After years of planning and behind-the-scenes work, the city has officially secured a $2.3 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to fully fund a long-awaited project: the Boardwalk-Pacific Avenue Pedestrian Connector.

In simple terms, Wildwood is getting a brand-new, safe, and stylish pedestrian path that will finally link the Boardwalk to Byrne Plaza and Pacific Avenue’s growing hub of restaurants, shops, and entertainment.

The project is a joint effort between the City of Wildwood and the Wildwood Business Improvement District (WBID), and it’s bringing in more than just state money. An additional $66,000 came from USDA Rural Development grants, secured by Triad Associates.

WBID also chipped in with a $22,500 match and covered over $100,000 in application fees. Altogether, that’s around $2.4 million in total funding.

This project is many years in the making as even back in 2005, we were talking about maybe connecting Downtown Wildwood with the boardwalk with things like the tramcar or even a sky-ride. (ski-lift).

This one is different than that but will still do the same thing.

What are we getting?

The new connector isn’t just about sidewalks. It’s about creating an experience. Here’s what’s planned:

Decorative sidewalks and upgraded lighting
ADA-compliant curb ramps to make the space accessible to everyone
Stormwater drainage to handle summer downpours
New landscaping, street furniture, and signs to bring it all together

While i know that sounds boring but when you look at the mock-ups you would be excited. Giant beach balls will be painted on the corners, we will have some awesome doo-wop looking signs, new lights that will elevate the walkways.

Okay, maybe your not as excited as us but look for yourself at the mock-ups.

This is a major step as the Downtown section of Wildwood by Byrne Plaza has seen a major growth in activities. Go and visit on Saturday morning and you will see what we are talking about.

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For Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr., this connector has been a longtime goal.

“I remember when Pacific Avenue was the heartbeat of Wildwood’s nightlife scene,” the mayor said. “Reconnecting the Boardwalk to downtown has always been a priority. This project is a big step forward in bringing energy and opportunity back to Pacific Avenue, especially alongside the Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Project.”

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John Donio, President of WBID, sees it as a game-changer for local businesses.

“This is a major win,” Donio said. “By creating a safe, welcoming walkway between Byrne Plaza and the Boardwalk, we’ll boost foot traffic, help our businesses, and improve the experience for everyone who visits the island.”

There’s no official construction timeline just yet, but the plans are moving forward.

A full rendering of the improvements is available in a downloadable PDF shared by the city, which you can already see in this article.

This connector is more than just a pathway. It’s a symbol of Wildwood’s comeback and a sign that the city is investing in a brighter, more connected future.