Ocean City is ramping up security along the boardwalk. Once complete, barriers will be in place to prevent vehicle attacks on the busy walkway.
The rise in the number of terrorist attacks with trucks driving into large crowds has prompted Ocean City’s town council and Mayor to come together in an agreement that will help prevent such instances. The town has devised a plan to provide extra security for summertime tourists by blocking all unauthorized vehicle access to the boardwalk through a barricade that can stop a truck dead in its tracks at speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour. Police, patrol, fire and rescue vehicles still be allowed access to the boardwalk and beach; all but a few of the vehicular entry points will be blocked off permanently.
Ocean City's town council initially had allowed an $80,000 budget to hire a construction firm to build the barrier, however, upon hearing bids that far exceeded the town's financial offer, officials would come to realize that sum just wouldn’t be enough. JMT Engineering was eventually selected and will soon begin construction on the project, which now carries a $155,000 price tag.
This year's work will cost up the proposed $80,000, while the remaining $75,000 will go into the 2019 budget. The barrier project's first phase will be completed by summer 2018 and will make way for the second and final stage of the project, expected to wrap up in 2019.
What are your thoughts on the barriers? Do you think they'll be effective? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
