Ventnor Continues Its Boardwalk Reconstruction
Ventnor City is continuing a major reconstruction of its Boardwalk, with Phase 2 extending the project north from Suffolk Avenue toward the Atlantic City boundary at Jackson Avenue.
The work follows an initial phase between Suffolk and Cambridge Avenues that addressed deteriorated structural components beneath the walking surface.
For residents and second homeowners, the project is one of the most visible pieces of Ventnor's off-season infrastructure program.
The Boardwalk is being rebuilt from the structure upward rather than receiving only a cosmetic resurfacing.
What Happened During Phase One
The first phase represented a $12 million investment in the Ventnor Boardwalk.
That work included removal of deteriorated substructure, excavation of accumulated sand beneath portions of the Boardwalk, and installation of replacement timber pilings.
The project received support from a $7.1 million grant through New Jersey's Boardwalk Preservation Fund.
Construction also revealed a piece of Ventnor history.
During excavation near Cambridge Avenue, crews encountered timber pilings associated with the former Ventnor Municipal Pier, which stood from the late 1920s until coastal storms destroyed it during the early 1960s.
What Changes in Phase Two
Phase 2 extends from Suffolk Avenue north toward Jackson Avenue at the Atlantic City border.
The rebuilt surface uses tropical Cumaru hardwood decking.
The boards are being installed in a linear orientation, a design intended to simplify future maintenance compared with more complicated decking patterns.
The project also slightly widens the Boardwalk's footprint over the beach.
These changes are occurring during the post-summer construction period, when municipalities along the barrier island can undertake larger public works projects with less interference from peak-season Boardwalk activity.
Dorset Avenue Bridge Work Is Happening Too
Ventnor's Boardwalk isn't the only major transportation asset receiving attention.
Atlantic County is also working on the Dorset Avenue Bridge, the double-leaf bascule bridge connecting the mainland side of the Inside Thorofare with Ventnor Heights and the barrier island.
The bridge first opened to vehicle traffic in 1929.
As the structure approaches its centennial, work includes mechanical servicing, rehabilitation of structural support towers, and restoration of the decorative lanterns mounted on the bridge's upper framework.
That makes the project both a transportation-maintenance effort and a preservation project involving one of Ventnor's recognizable gateways.
Recreation Infrastructure Has Expanded as Well
Ventnor has also completed improvements to its municipal athletic facilities.
The research packet identifies four regulation tennis courts and ten dedicated pickleball courts as part of the updated recreational complex.
The project reflects another side of the city's infrastructure planning: maintaining facilities that serve residents outside the traditional summer tourism season.
Together, the Boardwalk, Dorset Avenue Bridge, and recreational improvements represent different types of public assets, but all require ongoing investment because of their heavy use and exposure to the shore environment.
What Ventnor Residents Should Watch
The most visible change will continue along the Boardwalk corridor between Suffolk Avenue and Jackson Avenue.
Residents can also watch the progress of the Dorset Avenue Bridge rehabilitation, particularly the mechanical and structural work needed to maintain the nearly century-old drawbridge.
Both projects demonstrate why the months after Labor Day are an important construction period in Ventnor.
Once summer crowds diminish, larger municipal and county projects can move forward while crews prepare public infrastructure for future seasons and year-round use.
Sources: Shore Local Newsmagazine
