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WILDWOOD — The city and the borough have entered into an interlocal services agreement to build a new access ramp to the boardwalk at Cresse Avenue.

Currently the bike path on the boardwalk ends with a steep ramp at Cresse Avenue. The bike path continues along the beachfront to Rambler Road. Then it makes a turn west to Ocean Avenue and runs into Lower Township.

The goal of the connection project would make it easier to move from the Wildwood Boardwalk to the bike path in Wildwood Crest.

“It will create a safe and friendly walking and biking environment for our residents and visitors as they transition from Wildwood Crest into Wildwood at the boardwalk,” said Mayor Ernie Troiano.

“This project is a good example of what can be accomplished when two communities work together cooperatively to achieve a common goal,” Troiano said. “Wildwood and Wildwood Crest collaborated to make this happen for the benefit of the entire island and our visitors. The best thing is that we were able to do this with no cost to the taxpayer, with the project fully funded with grant money and UEZ funds.”

Wildwood Crest’s maximum contribution to the project is $200,000 in Urban Enterprise Zone funding. Wildwood has been awarded a Small Cities Community grant from the state Department of Community Affairs for $400,000.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation had granted $290,000 to add to the project through its New Jersey Bikeways Grant Program.

The Boardwalk Special Improvement District paid for the grant work to move the project ahead.

The construction is expected to cost more than $860,000. When it’s completed, it will include a new pedestrian and bike ramp on the east side of the boardwalk. A new entrance staircase will be also included at the base of the boardwalk

The engineering firm, Van Note-Harvey, have completed the design work and project is scheduled to go out to bid soon. The project is expected to be completed in time for the summer.

by: Lauren Suit of Shore News Today