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Barnegat Lighthouse in covered in scaffolding and netting, part of a $1.3 million restoration project that is scheduled to be completed in October. July 18, 2022
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. “Old Barney” as it’s known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE — Barnegat Lighthouse, a bright beacon for mariners across the treacherous Barnegat Inlet since 1859, has been dark since March as it undergoes a $1.3 million facelift.
On a recent hot and humid day, during the peak of tourist season, a nearly 170-foot-tall structure of scaffolding and black netting draped the lighthouse at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. Underneath, workers took care of re-grouting and re-mortaring the brick as part of the anticipated new look for Old Barney.
A complete exterior restoration of the lighthouse, masonry re-coating and repairs to the brick façade, interior lantern steel platform repairs, roof repairs and new windows will be visible to the public come October, when the lighthouse is expected to be shining bright again.
"We are on schedule and a little more than halfway through the project... Oct. 15 is when we should be done before or right on time," said John Forgione, construction project manager, treasury, Division of Property Management and Construction.
Four different crews have been working on the lighthouse consisting of a scaffolding crew, a strip and paint crew, a mason crew and metal workers.
Given the popularity of the lighthouse as well as the boat and pedestrian traffic nearby, security fencing surrounds the lighthouse. The black netting went up to ensure no particles were being put into the open air and waterways. The netting comes in 300-foot rolls, which workers put a bar through for ease in unrolling.
Despite the busy summer tourist time, the work on the lighthouse had to be done now because of contractor availability.
"Our main objective is getting the work done and if we need to take a historic or cultural asset offline for a time in order to make it more pleasant for the public, we're happy to do that," said Shawn LaTourette, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. "I think folks are generally patient with that kind of thing."
The weather has largely cooperated with the work, although Forgione said a windy May caused a few issues. Workers do not go up the exterior when winds are above 22 mph sustained. Given the open location on the tip of the island, pop-up thunderstorms are always being monitored.
"I'm impressed by the folks that are climbing that height on the exterior," LaTourette said.
One completed, the paint will last for 10 to 15 years, the commissioner said.
The work is funded by the state corporate business tax revenue. Spartan Construction General Contracting, Inch of South Amboy, Middlesex County, has taken on the project.
The biggest single task - building the scaffolding around the 172-foot-tall lighthouse.
LaTourette said the project is part of Gov. Phil Murphy's commitment to investing in the states parks, public lands and historic site.
The current lighthouse was commissioned on Jan. 1, 1859, replacing the old lighthouse was built in 1835 but was deemed insufficient. The lighthouse became automated in 1927 only to see it deactivated in 1944. In 2009, the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse donated the current light and has been activated since.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is still open to visitors through the time of renovation.
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. “Old Barney” as it’s known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. "Old Barney" as it's known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
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Barnegat Lighthouse in covered in scaffolding and netting, part of a $1.3 million restoration project that is scheduled to be completed in October. July 18, 2022
Drone footage of Barnegat Light and Barnegat Light State Park on Long Beach Island. “Old Barney” as it’s known, has been around since 1834 in different forms. Apr. 2, 2021
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