Sandy Hook Will Get $3.5M in Federal Funds for Road Repairs

Sandy Hook will get $3.530 million in federal funds to make repairs to badly damaged roads in the Gateway National Recreation Area, in the first round of Hurricane Sandy aid. 

In addition, the  Edwin J. Forsyth National Wildlife Refuge in Atlantic County will receive $1.25 million for storm-damaged roadway repair.

U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced the funding to repair and rebuild roads, as part of a $4.75 million in federal aid provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Relief and Federally Owned Roads Program.

Sandy Hook, a peninsula surrounded on either site by the Atlantic Ocean and the Raritan Bay, sustained significant damage during the October 29, 2012 storm. A popular tourist destination, officials have said they are unsure if the park will be ready to open this upcoming beach season due to the severity of the damage caused by Sandy.

Forsythe Wildlife Refuge was closed in the aftermath of Sandy as tidal surges crested over Wildlife Drive, causing significant damage to the road infrastructure there.

The funding is part of the recently adopted Hurricane Sandy Relief Act. The $60.2 billion package was approved by Congress in January and signed into law by President Barack Obama shortly after.