The county’s maintenance plans for the Gravens Thorofare and Leonards Thorofare Bridges on Avalon Boulevard will necessitate Avalon postponing its sand back-passing project, aimed at replenishing the eroded north-end beaches, until June. This bridge project hinders the movement of heavy equipment required for the beach project from crossing the bridges until the scheduled repairs are completed.

The Borough has awarded a $648,000 contract to Fred M. Schiavone Construction for the back-passing project, which will take place between 32nd Street and 40th Street, and extend back to between 9th Street and 15th Street, where there is minimal beach. “While we would prefer to wrap up this project before Memorial Day weekend,” said Avalon Mayor John McCorristin, “we are mindful of the public safety needs of the county to carry out the necessary repairs on the bridges before the summer season.” McCorristin has ordered that work be scheduled on weekdays from 10pm to 8am to alleviate public safety concerns. No work is anticipated on this project during weekends, and no trucks will operate on the beach after 8am.

Weather permitting, Avalon expects to complete the beach project ahead of the peak summer season.