Remember when the 150-ton excavator got stuck on an Avalon beach in 2006 while working on the seawall project? After many attempts to remove it, it was finally released by a large construction crane. The project was originally designed to remove large rocks along Inlet Drive by the Army Corps of Engineers. However, after removing the excavator, the Corps never returned to complete the project.

As the rocks became an increasing public-safety hazard, the Borough of Avalon once again put the project out to bid. “The project was very difficult to bid, as the number of large rocks was unknown and any interested bidders would have to come up with the method to remove and dispose of them,” said Borough Administrator Scott Wahl.

Luckily, a low bid from a contractor who could repurpose the stone was approved and the project began and was completed in April.

“Avalon was pleased to get this project completed for the safety of the public, and for the integrity of the adjacent neighborhood,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “This was a very challenging project to put out to bid, and we are very fortunate that a local contractor who needed this exact type of stone was able to safely remove it, and reuse it.”