Thanks to a newly funded dredging project, a stretch of sand on Rockaway Beach is expected to be open to the public this summer.

Sen. Charles Schumer secured $7 million in federal funds to begin dredging the inlet.

The sand will be pumped back onto the shore between Beach 91st and Beach 102nd Streets, replenishing an area that had been severely eroded.

The popular section of the beach was closed last summer due to erosion.

Schumer calls it a win-win because the work will also ensure that part of a vital navigation channel remains open.

The last time the Army Corps dredged the channel was in 2017.