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Work Begins To Replenish Beaches On Jersey Shore

MONMOUTH BEACH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Work has begun to replenish some of the Jersey Shore beaches that were hard-hit by Superstorm Sandy.

As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, the more than $8 million project to restore the coastline in Monmouth Beach was approved weeks before Sandy even developed, as part of a six- to eight-year maintenance cycle.

WCBS 880's Jim Smith reports

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U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said the timing could not have been any better.

"Many of those beaches really were heavily damaged Hurricane Sandy," Pallone said.

He said the pre-planned effort takes on new meaning in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

"They're still vulnerable," Pallone said. "If there was another storm, the damage would be a lot worse."

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers already had shovels in the ground as of this weekend. Pallone said they have been piling on sand for a critical boost in height.

"When the beaches don't have the elevation, they don't provide the protection that they would normally," he said.

Pallone said the project is starting in Monmouth Beach and heading north to Sea Bright, bolstering the defense of the weakened shoreline.

Do you think this is the right time to begin replenishing the beaches? Leave your comments below...

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