A $38.2 million beach restoration project is underway in Atlantic City to address severe erosion affecting casino properties along the northern Boardwalk. The US Army Corps of Engineers has contracted Houston-based Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company to deposit 1.2 million cubic yards of sand across Absecon Island's beaches from Atlantic City to Longport.

The project aims to resolve complaints from Ocean, Hard Rock, and Resorts casinos about diminishing beach space since the last restoration in 2020. During peak summer seasons, visitors faced limited space for beach activities, impacting business operations throughout the area.

Climate change has necessitated more frequent sand replenishment, with increased storm surges causing accelerated erosion. The situation became so dire 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 work involves:

• Dredging sand from Absecon Inlet and Atlantic Ocean locations
• Widening beaches near major casino properties
• Restoring dunes near Margate City and Longport
• Stabilizing beach access paths and dune crossovers
• Planting dune grass to prevent future erosion

The project comes at a crucial time for Atlantic City's casino industry, which has experienced a 14% decline in gross operating profits during the third quarter of 2024. The Army Corps expects the restoration to be completed by January 2025, helping preserve the city's vital beach tourism asset.

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