Feds fund $114M anti-erosion effort along Rockaway coast

This aerial photo shows flooding and burned-out homes after an electrical fire caused by Superstorm Sandy. AP photo/Mike Groll

By Rachel Vick

Seven and a half years after Hurricane Sandy devastated communities along the Rockaway Peninsula, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving forward with a plan to build sand-trapping infrastructure that will prevent coastline erosion. 

On April 29, the federal government awarded nearly $114 million to Bayshore firm H&L Contracting LLC for the creation of the New York Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Project, which will combat erosion. 

“While we are all focused on combating coronavirus, we can't lower our guard on the other ways Mother Nature can and has hurt our district,” said U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, who represents the Rockaways. “We must bolster the resilience of our shorelines so they are better able to weather the next major storm, and our vital beaches aren't closed due to erosion.”

H&L Contracting is set to begin construction in the coming weeks.

The contract is the first in a series of $600 million in awards that will fund the construction of 14 new groins — short rock ledges that extend into the water from the shore — and repair five existing ones.

Groins protect coastal erosion by acting like a dam, catching sediment and keeping sand contained in between structures. 

In May 2019, the U.S. Army Corps dumped more than 300,000 cubic yards of sand onto a 13-block stretch of the beach to reduce erosion.

“This marks the final step before construction can begin on the Atlantic Shorefront project,” said Mayor’s Office of Resiliency Director Jainey Bavishi. “These stone groins will prevent erosion and stabilize the shoreline, making Rockaway communities stronger and more resilient to coastal storms for decades to come.”