Crews are still driving pilings into the sand on the Seaside Park stretch, just days before the unofficial start to summer. "I think it's a shame," says Ann Marie Hvidsten, of Manalapan. "It should be done by Memorial Day weekend, the kickoff of the summer. It's disappointing."

On the Seaside Heights side of the boardwalk, the part owned by the municipality is complete, but work just started on the privately owned section a few weeks ago. 

Beachgoers aren't confident it will be ready for the holiday weekend either. 



Back in September, a massive blaze destroyed five blocks of the boardwalk and some 50 businesses still recovering after Sandy. 

The goal now is to have a continuous boardwalk between the two shore towns. Construction was delayed because private owners couldn't agree on what to do. They finally opted to foot the tab themselves.

"I think it's ridiculous, it's horrible," says Paul Lochli, of Toms River. "It should have been started right when it happened, after the cleanup."

But others who spoke to News 12 say the public needs to be more patient. 

Neither town has said when the entire stretch will be complete. Once it is finished, the plan is to bring in temporary rides and arcades.