The Wildwood Boardwalk is Expanding? - Wildwood Video Archive

The Wildwood Boardwalk is Expanding?

This isn’t a Mid-July fools joke, the Wildwood Boardwalk is going to be expanded, at least that is what was discovered in a recent filing with the State of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, or the NJDEP for short.

The city of Wildwood had submitted an application to the NJDEP for a CAFRA Permit almost 30 days ago and the application is set to move forward by the 18th of September. A CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Review Act) permit is a regulatory requirement in New Jersey designed to manage and protect the state’s coastal areas.

The Wildwood Boardwalk is Expanding

These permits ensure that development projects in coastal areas do not negatively impact the environment, including water quality, wildlife habitats, and natural resources.

Since the Wildwood Boardwalk sits right on the beach, this project would need to be reviewed by the DEP before any work can move forward.

The application is calling for expanding the boardwalk 14-feet on the waterward side of the existing boardwalk.

This new section will run from East Cresse Avenue to East Burk Avenue and then continue from East Montgomery Avenue to East Schellenger Avenue.

Many don’t know this but the boardwalk that runs South of Schellenger Avenue to Cresse Avenue is not as wide as from Oak Avenue going North.

According to measurements taken from Google Earth, the Northern section of the boardwalk sits at about 60 feet wide while the Southern section runs roughly about 44 feet wide.

Also see: Explaining Why New Jersey’s Beaches Have Been So Foggy Lately

This project would ultimately make the Southern part of the boardwalk the same size of the rest of the boardwalk.

This project isn’t just about adding more boardwalk space though. The plans include the construction of new pavilions at each street end from East Schellenger Avenue to East Montgomery Avenue.

These pavilions will offer rest areas and protection from the elements, making it easier for visitors to enjoy the boardwalk regardless of the weather.

Enhancements and Features

The expansion will feature a range of improvements:

New Wood Piling Support Structures: Ensuring the boardwalk remains sturdy and safe.
Timber Framing: Providing a solid foundation for the new decking.
New Decking: Expanding the boardwalk’s walking surface.
Beach Access Stairs: Offering convenient access to the beach.
Railings and Lights: Enhancing safety and aesthetics, especially during evening hours.
Pavilions: Located at the end of each road, these structures will serve as rest areas and weather shelters.

The only way this project can move forward is if it gets an approval from the NJDEP. Since everything rides on this decision, which could take several months, there was no listed timeline on the application.

One thing to keep in mind is that submitting an application like this does not mean that this project will 100% happen. Projects at this size all come down to money.

A good example is the next phase of the Wildwood Boardwalk reconstruction project. Just this past June, the city of Wildwood awarded a contract to 84 Lumber worth $2,286,077.31 to purchase Cumaru Decking.

Builder bids for that project haven’t been announced yet but you could assume that some of that and the builder’s costs will be covered in Boardwalk Preservation Fund which was announced a few months back.

In that fund Wildwood received 8,269,013 while North Wildwood received 10,259,827.

North Wildwood will be using their money on their own boardwalk reconstruction project starting this fall. That project will see the reconstruction of between 16th and 18th Ave and only cost $3.5 million.

As exciting as the proposed expansion of the Wildwood Boardwalk is, it remains dependent on the approval of the NJDEP.

The application process could take several months, and there are no guarantees it will move forward.

The potential enhancements, including new pavilions and improved beach access, promise to make the Southern part of the boardwalk as appealing and functional as the Northern section.