The US Army Corps of Engineers has begun a major beach restoration project in Atlantic City, addressing severe erosion issues that have plagued casino properties along the northern end of the Boardwalk.

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 from Atlantic City to Longport. This volume equates to approximately 120,000 dump trucks of sand.

The project addresses complaints from Ocean, Hard Rock, and Resorts casinos about diminishing beach space since the last restoration in 2020. During peak seasons, visitors have struggled to find adequate space for beach activities, affecting business throughout the area.

Climate change has accelerated beach erosion, with more frequent storms and intense storm surges removing sand from beach banks. The situation became so critical 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
• Widening beaches along casino properties
• Restoring dunes near Margate City and Longport
• Stabilizing beach access paths and dune crossovers
• Planting dune grass to prevent future erosion

The Army Corps expects project completion by January 2025, providing crucial beach restoration as Atlantic City casinos face continued economic challenges, including a 14% decline in gross operating profits during the third quarter of 2024.

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