$50M project begins to transform Atlantic City Inlet
ATLANTIC CITY (WPVI) -- Cranes and heavy equipment on the beach near Oriental Avenue signal the start of a $50 million project expected to transform Atlantic City's Inlet section.
Construction of a seawall and a new boardwalk in this area will mean that once again you'll be able to bike or stroll the entire boardwalk from Margate all the way to Gardner's Basin in Atlantic City.
"We have to go through the streets and otherwise we would use the boardwalk," Inez Piesta of Northeast Philadelphia said.
"Look at it and see how it is and say 'oh it's time to turn around' so now you'll be able to go all the way to the basin and enjoy the basin," Dave Click of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
Replacing the damaged boardwalk is a big deal. Officials say once you can walk continuously to the other end of it in the Inlet it'll become a major economic driver for this area.
"It's critical for the inlet. It's critical for moving our town away from a gaming centric city to a place that everyone should come down and play and have a good time," Mayor Don Guardian said.
The mayor says it will spur development, making now vacant waterfront properties desirable for building and Guardian predicts the new boardwalk will draw more people to Inlet attractions like the Absecon lighthouse, the aquarium, and other businesses at Gardner's Basin.
"It just kind of connects us. We're sometimes a little bit of an island here so this kind of gets us connected to Atlantic City in a very nice way," Rich George of Atlantic City Cruises said.
"For us, we can finally be able to walk down the boardwalk and enjoy some of the things you have to drive over," Joey Marshall of Lancaster, Pa. said.
The seawall and boardwalk project is expected to take two years and is being built with money from the city state and federal government.
"It's going to be exciting, it'll bring business to this part of the city again and we are really looking forward to it," Liz Cruse of the Back Bay Ale House said.
