Work to begin on wall for Sandy-devastated towns

MANTOLOKING (AP) — Work is set to begin on a sea wall for New Jersey shore towns that were devastated by Superstorm Sandy.

The first portion of steel is due to be installed along the beach in Mantoloking on Thursday. The town is where Sandy caused the Atlantic Ocean to slash a path to neighboring Barnegat Bay.

Eventually four miles of steel sheet pilings will be placed along beaches in Mantoloking and Brick Township to safeguard Route 35 and nearby homes and businesses.

The project has faced opposition from some environmentalists, who fear it could worsen erosion and storm damage in neighboring towns.

Some oceanfront homeowners have balked at letting the government use a narrow strip of their sand for the project.

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