Sand, Storms, and Shorelines: Geotechnical Engineering Behind Jersey’s $73.5M Coastal Replenishment

Ocean County, New Jersey, is embracing one of its most ambitious coastal resilience projects yet—a $73.5 million beach replenishment initiative stretching from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet. With 2.1 million cubic yards of sand scheduled to be redistributed along seven shoreline communities, this project exemplifies geotechnical engineering in action. Led by the US Army Corps of Engineers and funded in part by $30.2 million from the federal infrastructure bill, this effort is more than beach beautification—it’s a vital defense against erosion, storms, and rising sea levels.

The heart of this coastal fortification lies in careful geotechnical planning. Engineers selected offshore borrow areas after thorough feasibility studies and subsurface explorations. Ideal sediment characteristics—appropriate grain size, minimal gravel and silt content—ensure compatibility with the native beaches and compliance with environmental guidelines.

Once dredged by hopper vessels like Liberty Island and Galveston Island, the sand is hydraulically pumped ashore and graded into an engineered template. This design restores dunes, berms, and access points while reinforcing storm protection. Over the next six to seven months, towns like Bay Head (495,000 CY), Toms River South (426,000 CY), and Mantoloking (392,000 CY) will see their coastlines widened, dunes stabilized, and dune grass replanted—an engineered shield against future storm surges.

While storms are inevitable, destruction doesn’t have to be. Seaside Heights Mayor Tony Vaz summarized it well: “It’s not a stop-gap, completely, but it will slow the process down in the event of a serious hurricane.” This sentiment echoes the core of coastal geotechnics: anticipate, adapt, and mitigate.

Beach replenishment isn’t a one-time fix. As seen in this initiative—originally constructed from 2017 to 2019—periodic “renourishment” is required. With rising seas and intensified weather, this cycle will become even more crucial. Projects like this stand as case studies in effective collaboration between engineering, government, and community for sustainable coastal living.

The following video showcases recent emergency beach replenishment in North Wildwood, New Jersey.