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By May of next year, beaches from Asbury Park to Avon-by-the-Sea will be restored to “conditions better than prior to Sandy,” according to a press release from democratic Congressman Frank Pallone’s office.

Pallone’s office announced Thursday a $18.3 million contract to replenish the beaches was awarded by congress through a federal Sandy aid package. Work will begin in December.

The Army Corps of Engineers beach nourishment project, which moves offshore sand onto the shoreline, will restore sand to beaches in Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach, and Avon-By-The-Sea, the release said.

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company is the contractor hired for the replenishment project. They will use over one million cubic yards of sand to restore the beaches, the release said.

“I’m pleased that the Army Corps is moving forward with this important investment that will help to protect homes and businesses from future flooding, as well as repair the destruction caused by Sandy,” Pallone said in the release.

The Asbury Park beach replenishment is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ larger effort that covers a majority of the beaches from Sea Bright to Manasquan. It is the largest beach nourishment project ever undertaken by the Army Corps and the world’s biggest beach-fill project in terms of sand volume, the release said.

Once completed, the greater protective barrier between the coastal communities and the ocean will reduce the risk of flooding and storm related damages, the release said.

“Our beaches are a fundamental part of life here on the shore, both for residents to enjoy and also to drive tourism,” Pallone said. “I have fought for this and other beach replenishment projects for years because I know how important they are to protect some of our most fragile coastal infrastructure.”

The Asbury Park to Avon contract is the last of four to be awarded for overall beach replenishment projects from Sea Bright to Manasquan. Replenishment for Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach was awarded in June and is nearing completion. Long Branch was granted funds in June and will see work begin in November.  Beaches from Belmar to Manasquan will be replenished beginning in late October.  The Army Corps of Engineers expects to complete the entire project by mid-2014.

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