County executive says 175 bridges and culverts need to be checked as crews work around the clock; $85,000 Brigantine ramp lasted only about six weeks before storm ripped it away
ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. — Atlantic County crews are inspecting roads, bridges and other infrastructure after the weekend nor’easter caused what County Executive Dennis Levinson described as “a lot of damage,” primarily from flooding rather than wind.
And one piece of infrastructure didn't last long enough to see a second season.
A recently installed access ramp along Brigantine's storm-battered Promenade cost approximately $85,000 and had been in place for only about six weeks before the ocean ripped it away, according to Levinson.
“That ramp was only $85,000,” Levinson said Tuesday morning on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND. “It lasted for about a month and a half.”
The ramp was torn from its foundation during the powerful nor’easter and carried down the shoreline. Brigantine officials have said it was eventually recovered around 16th Street, broken into pieces.
For Levinson, it was an example of the power of the storm — and the challenges facing coastal communities.
“It's Mother Nature, Don,” Levinson said. “You live on a barrier island and you're going to get battered.”
‘We Had a Lot of Damage’
While some of the most dramatic destruction occurred along Atlantic County's beaches, Levinson said county government is now assessing its own infrastructure.
“We had a lot of damage, but it was mostly from water, not a whole lot of wind damage,” Levinson said.
“Our crews have been out 24-7. We've been answering calls.”
The county maintains an extensive network of roads, bridges and culverts, meaning the work continues even after floodwaters have receded.
“I want to remind people of what Atlantic County's responsibilities are,” Levinson said. “We have 375 miles of roads.”
The county also has 175 bridges and culverts, according to Levinson.
“So we have a lot to do,” he said.
The weekend storm inundated portions of Atlantic County, with particularly serious flooding in low-lying coastal and back-bay communities.
In West Atlantic City, first-floor motel rooms were flooded with two to three feet of water, requiring the rescue of nine adults and a dog.
Atlantic City and Brigantine, meanwhile, suffered significant beach and dune erosion.
175 Bridges and Culverts to Be Checked
Levinson said county officials will need to examine bridges and other infrastructure for storm-related problems.
Williams specifically asked about the Ventnor bridge.
“It got rocked pretty good,” Levinson said.
But Levinson said he was not aware of damage that required the bridge to close.
“We didn't close it,” he said. “It's still open. But everything has to be checked on.”
That means inspecting far more than one bridge.
“We're going to go around, like I said, 175 bridges,” Levinson said. “We're going to have to check them out.”
Levinson noted that the county's responsibilities are only one part of the region's transportation system. Municipalities maintain their own streets, while the state is responsible for state highways.
“There are a lot of responsibilities we have, along with other government agencies,” he said.
No overall dollar estimate for damage to Atlantic County-owned infrastructure has been announced.
$85,000 Ramp Swept Down Brigantine Beach
The Brigantine ramp provides one particularly striking example of the storm's force.
Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera previously told South Jersey NewsBeat that the Promenade lost railings, boards and several access ramps during the storm.
One of those ramps was ripped away despite being secured with large bolts and hurricane straps.
“We actually picked that back up,” Sera said following the storm. “It floated down to about 16th Street and we picked it up and Public Works has it.”
“It's probably broken into about three pieces.”
Sera said the force of the ocean snapped the ramp's securing hardware.
“You can see where the straps and the bolts just broke clean off,” he said.
Levinson on Tuesday supplied two additional details: the approximately $85,000 cost and how recently the ramp had been installed.
“That ramp was only $85,000,” Levinson said. “It lasted for about a month and a half.”
Despite damage to the ramps, railings and boards, Sera has credited the Promenade and seawall with preventing substantially worse damage during the storm.
‘Things Have Changed’
Levinson said the storm should also serve as a warning about the need to prepare coastal infrastructure for future events.
“You live on a barrier island and you're going to get battered,” he said. “And you're going to get battered a lot more than you were in the past.”
“Things have changed. Weather patterns have changed. Climate has changed.”
Levinson said the timing of the powerful nor’easter was itself noteworthy.
“When you just take a northeaster, which usually comes in colder weather, this was a bit of a surprise to us,” he said.
“And, you know, we just better get prepared.”
The storm produced widespread flooding and erosion along the Jersey Shore, with Brigantine among the hardest-hit communities. Officials there are still assessing damage after large portions of beach and dunes were washed away and sections of the Promenade were damaged.
Atlantic County, meanwhile, has its own assessment underway.
For Levinson, inspecting and repairing infrastructure after storms is part of county government's responsibility.
“This is what the county does, and this is what every county does,” Levinson said. “And you rise to the occasion.”
Dennis Levinson spoke Tuesday on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND. The Don Williams Show airs Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m.
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
