Goals include boosting durability, safety, accessibility
CAPE MAY — Motorists traversing Beach Avenue in Cape May can’t help but notice the work under way to improve the safety and durability of the Promenade.
Work is progressing on the initial phase of a rehabilitation project that entails raising, widening and shoring up the beachfront walkway.
The city received a grant from the state in amount of $6.7 million to help fund the project. The city awarded the contract to Fred Schiavone Construction.
“The city’s contractor, F.M. Schiavone, is doing a good job on the project. They are on schedule and we anticipate the majority of work should be completed by June 2026,” City Manager Paul Dietrich said last week.
According to the Promenade Master Plan created by Colliers Engineer in 2023, the Promenade has not only defined Cape May’s identity but also has played an integral role in its rise as the nation’s oldest seaside resort.
“This iconic stretch of coastal serenity, originally known as the Cape May Boardwalk, boasts a rich history that dates back to the late 1860s,” the document states.
The wooden Cape May Boardwalk was the first seaside walkway in the state, drawing throngs of visitors for a stroll along the Atlantic Ocean.
Situated on the southeast tip of New Jersey, the structure faced relentless waves and coastal storms. In 1962, a nor’easter leveled the boardwalk.
“In a remarkable display of fortitude and resourcefulness, the boardwalk was reborn as the Cape May Promenade. This new incarnation featured a seawall, reinforced and resilient, crowned with a pristine concrete walkway,” the document states. “Its uninterrupted span offers an experience unique to Cape May, as it contains no intersections or crosswalks. This singular feature makes the Promenade the natural choice for a variety of activities, from leisurely strolls and invigorating jogs to relaxed and even wildlife viewing.”
Now 2 miles long and running parallel to Beach Avenue, the Promenade is undergoing a large-scale restoration project.
“Our commitment to the Cape May Promenade’s future centers on a comprehensive strategy aimed at preserving its legacy and elevating its functionality,” according to the Promenade Master Plan.
The project involves a program of concrete repairs and the application of a protective coating to the existing concrete wall along Beach Avenue.
The 10 ADA access ramps will be brought up to code and repaired where needed to improve accessibility, and six new ramps are planned.
“This expansion broadens the reach of accessible areas along the Promenade and enhances the convenience of all visitors, making it possible for more individuals to appreciate Cape May’s scenic vistas and vibrant life,” the document states.
In addition to concrete repairs and ADA ramps, a two-pronged approach involves widening and raising the structure.
The widening will assist installation of a steel bulkhead seawall in front of a deteriorated wooden bulkhead on the south side of the Promenade, which has led to sinkholes.
“These steel sheets will not only provide protection to the city of Cape May for the coming decade but also enable the extension of the seawall height, establishing a dedicated sitting area along the south side of the Promenade,” according to the Promenade Master Plan.
In addition, plans call for a sitting area/seawall extension along the south side of the remaining Promenade sections, from Philadelphia and Madison avenues to the west end.
“This extension will be constructed atop the existing stone seawall that runs along the south side of the Promenade. Notably, this design will harmoniously integrate with the seawall proposed for the east end of the city, and it will also serve as a multifunctional sitting wall, unifying the coastal area of Cape May,” the document states.
The project has been divided into two phases.
Phase 1, which is under way, is aimed at addressing the deterioration of the promenade and introducing significant ADA enhancements.
It includes replacement of the walking surface and application of a protective coating. Additionally, Phase 1 includes rehabilitating the concrete wall along Beach Avenue, providing structural enhancements to ensure longevity. Like the walkway, the wall will be coated to help mitigate wear and tear.
The deteriorated section of the timber bulkhead along Beach Avenue will be replaced.
Phase 2, set for 2026, will introduce transformational features through the installation of a cap running along the ocean side, increasing storm resilience and safeguarding the city from the effects of coastal flooding.
In addition, Phase 2 involves widening the Promenade between Jackson Street and First Avenue.
“In this specific area, the existing timber bulkhead, which lines the south side of the promenade, is in poor to failing condition and needs to be replaced,” the document states.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Cape May Star and Wave
