Hurricane Risk Reduction Measures Coming to the Rockaways

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the first contract award to provide nearly $600 million in federal investment for the construction of storm risk reduction infrastructure on both the Atlantic Ocean shoreline and the Jamaica Bay shoreline of the Rockaway Peninsula.

H&L Contracting LLC of Bayshore, NY was awarded the contract for just under $114 million to build 14 new stone groin structures and rehabilitate 5 existing groins on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Rockaway peninsula. This will provide erosion control and stabilization of the beach system.

With the passage of the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was provided both authority to perform feasibility studies as well as funding to complete or construct new coastal storm risk management projects in the Northeast.

“We recognize a strong coastline promotes a strong community – economically, socially, and environmentally,” said USACE commander, Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite. “Working hand-in-hand with city, state and federal authorities, we will strengthen Rockaway’s coastal resilience through a series of projects focused on storm risk reduction and erosion control. ”

“Even in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis the work of our city keeps going forward,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Working side by side with the US Army Corps of Engineers, this major investment will help protect the Rockaways’ beautiful beaches for years to come – and protect New Yorkers in the process.”