Bradley Beach awards $2.575 million contract to Patel Inc. for promenade extension; construction to begin after July 4 weekend

Bradley Beach Borough Council voted to award a contract to Patel Inc. to extend the promenade from Third to Second Avenue, approving a low bid of $2,575,225 under Resolution 2026-165 and outlining construction staging, grant funding rules, and measures to reduce public impact.

Councilman Noiki, who presented the resolution, said the project is funded primarily through a federal boardwalk preservation grant tied to Sandy-era programs and must be completed by Dec. 31 under grant terms. He said the borough’s 5% local match is small relative to the total grant and that the approved bid is within the reimbursable limit. The resolution authorizes including engineering, design, permitting and construction management costs under the contract and acknowledged an available contingency of up to 20 percent for necessary changes.

Noiki described planned mitigation to preserve public beach access during construction: temporary stairwells and ramps at affected access points, relocating walk mats and lockers, keeping certain restrooms open, and deploying traffic directors during truck movements. He also said the borough will coordinate with environmental staff to avoid disturbing nesting birds and may delay work if necessary. "Construction is a dirty business and it's going to be disruption," Noiki said, adding the borough will use staging and public notifications to minimize impact.

Council members discussed when major activity would begin; staff said full construction was unlikely until after the Fourth of July weekend to reduce disruption on the holiday. The council approved the award by roll call. The contract authorizes the borough to pursue additional grant-eligible work and to manage materials excavated from related shoreline work to reduce disposal costs.