SACO — The city is asking the state to partner with it and the Army Corps of Engineers for a proposed project that would help combat beach erosion.

The proposed project would offset beach erosion caused from the Saco River jetty, which extends out from the mouth of the Saco River. It was built in the late 1800s to create a smooth shipping channel.

The federal government has appropriated $26.9 million for a project to offset damage done by the jetty.

Construction isn’t projected to start until late 2016.

After studying the area, the Army Corps has recommended a plan that would add a 750-foot-long spur jetty attached perpendicular to the existing north jetty, about 1,475 feet from the shoreline, and reinforce about 400 feet of the existing jetty.

The proposal would also include the placement of 365,000 cubic yards of sand on the Camp Ellis beach, and includes beach renourishment every 12 years.

The council voted Monday night for the city to send Gov. Paul LePage a letter requesting that he visit the area.

“I think the chances of the state doing this is less than winning the Powerball,” said Councilor Eric Cote.

“If you never ask, you never know,” said Councilor Marston Lovell.

Mayor Mark Johnston said the city would like to invite the governor to come to Camp Ellis and look at “one of the worst cases of erosion in the State of Maine” and talk with Camp Ellis property owners.

Johnston said the Army Corps needs the city, county or state government as a local sponsor. Johnston said a hybrid arrangement of the city and the state partnering is ideal, as this is a project that will need a significant relationship lasting many years in order to be successful.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.