A popular Jersey Shore boardwalk is getting an upgrade to be stronger and more resilient.

Parts of the boardwalk in Ocean City are being demolished so they can be rebuilt to meet modern fire codes and be better equipped to handle storms. Boards will be replaced with thicker wood that can hold more weight and are flame-resistant. This same type of treated wood will be used for support beams.

Ocean City Director of Community Services Mike Allegretto says that the city is bring proactive to help prevent fires.

"Certainly a fire on the boardwalk, with the stores all close together, [could] wipe them all out," he says. "Missing one [board] could put anybody out of business."

In 2013, the boardwalk in Seaside was destroyed by a massive fire that was caused by faulty electrical wires. When that boardwalk was rebuilt, all the wires were brought up to code. 

The same is being done for the Ocean City boardwalk. However, Allegretto says this is more to be proactive.

"Nobody has reported to me that they found one that was in immediate danger, that could spark up or anything like that," he says. "Certainly the contractors and utility companies are happy we're doing this project ahead of it."

The current stretch of boardwalk under construction runs from Plaza Place to Eighth Street. This is the third phase of the project. The stretch is expected to be completed sometime before Easter.