Natural disasters have left an indelible mark on America over the past few years. From recent flooding in Colorado to the massive tornado in Moore, OK, earlier this year, Mother Nature has wrought a path of destruction that has left millions of dollars worth of damage in her wake. Although rebuilding from these events can take years, concrete has been widely used to quickly return ravaged areas to their original appearance and even improve building security in the face of future storms.
Hurricane Sandy was one such major weather event that rocked the Northeastern shoreline late in 2012. Miles upon miles of beachfront properties were wiped clear off the map as flooding from the hurricane caused major destruction far further inland than normal. Many of these properties were very costly, and rebuilding estimates are astronomical in certain areas. For example, the Boardwalk at Rockaway Beach, a five-mile long coastal summer attraction in Queens, was obliterated and will require about $200 million to rebuild, according to this piece by The New York Times.
The project to reconstruct the Boardwalk at Rockaway Beach will require some massive manual labor, with 4.7 miles of new decking and another 50,000 feet of railing planned for reinstallation. However, where most of the original construction of the boardwalk was made from wood, engineers are planning the construction of the new boardwalk primarily in concrete. Many feel that this will be a cost-effective measure that protects the area in case of another hurricane.
“We think in terms of making a big investment for the long term, concrete is a much better choice,” said Liam Kavanagh, New York City’s parks department’s first deputy commissioner, as quoted in the New York Times article. “It’s stronger than wood and lasts twice as long.” He and others pointed out that the concrete sections of the boardwalk fared much better against Sandy than the wooden areas.
Residents have suggested some interesting ideas for concrete installations that may also go a long way in improving the appearance of the rebuilt boardwalk. For instance, concrete embedded with sea glass or seashells could provide an interesting appearance for a coastal building foundation. Improved storm defenses and other amenities, like bike lanes or dog runs, have also been proposed.
Residents of northern New Jersey are well acquainted with the destructive nature of this and other hurricanes that have struck our region in recent years. Our concrete services can help you build a solid foundation for a structure to last years, whatever the weather throws at you. Rockaway Beach is an American landmark, an institution. Just listen to the song below!