The Boardwalk gettin' busy with restaurants

Activity is picking up on the CB Boardwalk. Port City Foodies reports that D.J Fries is scheduled to open this week on the Boardwalk.

The addition makes for a new scene full of traditional favorites for foodies on the beach. DJ’s will serve natural, homemade-style french fries as well as funnel fries, said owner Dan Wilcox, who also owns MaddFish Grill. These sweet fries are short, round pieces of funnel cake coated with cinnamon and sugar.  “It’s something we thought would work well,” Wilcox said. “It’s a brand new business here.” He anticipates that DJ’s will be open noon to midnight.

In addition, Island Hots has opened in the old Trolley Stop location. It "serves up a variety of hot dogs – including one named for the store that’s served with onions, jalpenos, and a homemade red pepper relish, said owner Ron Stevens.

Look for other menu items like chicken tenders, root beer floats made with soft-serve vanilla ice cream and beer-battered onion rings that have become a favorite. There are 12 stools inside the shop where you can sit and chat with Stevens and his brother. But there’s also a large courtyard area that seats 50-55 people. “It’s a great spot to sit down and watch the fireworks,” he said.  Also noteworthy is Hurricane Alley’s, a new seafood restaurant, sandwich shop, bar and music venue. There, you can find steam pots and grilled sandwiches and a deck with an ocean view.

3 CB marinas added to 'Clean' list

From WECT:

Three marinas from Carolina Beach have been certified as North Carolina Clean Marinas, according to state regulations.

The Mona Black Marina, Federal Point Yacht Club and Carolina Beach State Park earned that designation in the Clean Marina program. To get this certification, owners need to prepare spill prevention plans and conduct safety and emergency planning. They also have to control boat maintenance activities to protect the water quality.

Marinas have to get recertified every couple years.

Other current clean marinas include Cypress Landing Marina, Harbour Village Marina, Wilmington Marine Center, Joyner Marina, Southport Marina and New Bern Grand Marina.

Some nice CB improvements

I don't know for certain it's been completed, but Carolina Beach Inlet was slated to be dredged and improved by now.

The [US Army] Corps [of Engineers] expects its side-caster dredge Merritt to finish clearing New Topsail Inlet in Pender County by June 8. Carolina Beach Inlet is next on the list [according to this report].

The dredge boat already passed through New Hanover County shores, but left for some emergency work in the northern part of the state.

Roger Bullock with the Army Corps said Carolina Beach Inlet needs to be at least 8 feet deep, so the job should take about a week.

And in addition, Snow's Cub Bridge has some improvements coming its way, according to the Star-News.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $4.6 million contract to resurface the Snow's Cut Bridge to Pleasure Island

The contracts was awarded the American Bridge Co. of Coraopolis, Pa., according to a DOT news release.

The work can begin as early as July 1 and is scheduled to be completed within 390 days after the start date.

The bridge will be resurfaced using a new technique called hydro-demolition. Using that technique, crews will remove the old concrete on the bridge deck using high-pressure water. "Hydro-demolition is more precise than traditional pavement removal with a jackhammer, and it reduces the potential for damage to the bridge," the release states.

The bridge will be resurfaced with high-strength concrete, and contractors will also paint the structural steel and make repairs to the substructure concrete.