Mayor Touts Savings for Boardwalk Project in Latest Open Message

Modular sections of deck began being added to the Ocean City Boardwalk last week as part of the boardwalk replacement project on the 500 block, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian reported in an open message posted on the city’s website.

The sections, which measure 12 feet x 42 feet, began being lifted into place after being assembled elsewhere and transported into Ocean City, Gillian said.

“This approach is a new one and provides cost savings to the overall project,” Gillian said in his message. “As future phases of the project progress to the south this construction method will minimize the amount of time that the businesses in each particular block are impacted.”

The project is being handled by Fred M. Schiavone Construction of Malaga, and involves replacing the substructure and redecking the boardwalk with an existing stock of southern yellow pine.

Construction is expected to be complete and the boardwalk is expected to be open by the early spring.

“Walkers, runners and bikers will notice a more sturdy deck than the older sections of the boardwalk due to the materials used and the improved design,” Gillian said.

Several residents have reported their pipes are freezing and breaking this winter, an issue Gillian also addressed in his message. Although Ocean City wasn’t hit with snow the way other portions of the region were on Monday, it isn’t escaping the frigid cold of the winter.

“I ask local residents to continue to be alert for any problems in your neighborhood,” Gillian said. “Second homeowners should take steps to make certain that their properties are safe."

He added: “Hopefully February will be a milder month!”