North Wildwood Rebuilds Beaches with Giant Steel Walls

Coastal town battles beach erosion with new bulkhead construction project

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:19pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a towering steel bulkhead wall stretching along the shoreline, dwarfing the surrounding beach and ocean in a dramatic display of the power of nature and human engineering.A massive steel bulkhead wall stands as a formidable barrier against the relentless forces of beach erosion and storm surges along the New Jersey shore.North Wildwood Today

The coastal town of North Wildwood, New Jersey is undertaking a major beach restoration project, installing 35-foot tall steel bulkheads to protect against ongoing beach erosion and storm damage. The bulkhead system, which involves driving interlocking sheets of metal into the sand, will create a continuous barrier from 3rd Street to the 16th Street lifeguard station.

Why it matters

North Wildwood, like many Jersey Shore towns, has struggled with significant beach erosion over the past decade, leading to infrastructure damage and concerns about public safety. This bulkhead project represents a long-term solution to fortify the coastline and prevent future flooding and storm surges from reaching the streets and buildings.

The details

Crews are using a specialized hydraulic vibrating hammer to drive the steel bulkhead sections into the sand, with each piece extending about 6 feet above the surface. Once the full bulkhead is installed, sand will be added on top to create new protective dunes. The project covers the stretch of beach between 12th Avenue and 15th Street.

  • The North Wildwood Bulkhead Project began in April 2026.
  • The bulkhead installation is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.

The players

North Wildwood

A coastal town in New Jersey that is undertaking a major beach restoration project to combat ongoing erosion and storm damage.

Wildwood Video Archive

An independent local news outlet that has been documenting the beach erosion issues and various infrastructure projects in the Wildwoods over the past decade.

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What they’re saying

“We did too, so we stopped by the North Wildwood Bulkhead Project, happening between 12th Avenue and 15th Street, to show you exactly how it's done.”

— Wildwood Writer, Author

What’s next

The final phase of the project will involve adding sand on top of the installed bulkhead to create new protective dunes, as well as constructing new beach access ramps.

The takeaway

This bulkhead project represents a long-term solution for North Wildwood to fortify its coastline and safeguard against the growing threat of beach erosion and storm damage, which has plagued many Jersey Shore towns in recent years.