$27 Million Beach Reconstruction Contract Awarded
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has secured a contract worth $27 million, awarded to a New Jersey-based company with extensive experience in beach rebuilding, especially in Florida. The project aims to restore 3.5 miles of heavily eroded beach around the Flagler Beach pier, a task that has been in the planning stages for over 20 years. Set to begin in June and expected to conclude by March 2025, the project is designed to increase the beach’s width by 140 to 180 feet and dramatically decrease the potential for damage to State Road A1A during severe storms by 95%, provided no hurricanes or tropical storms cause delays.
Impact of Dredging on Local Life
Weeks Marine, the contractor awarded the project, is tasked with dredging about 1.3 million cubic yards of sand from a borrow pit 11 miles offshore. The sand will be piped to the beach and spread out continuously, day and night. This intensive dredging schedule is set to disrupt normal activities for residents and visitors of Flagler Beach by necessitating the temporary closure of walkways, partial closures of State Road A1A, and limiting beach access in segments of 1,500 feet at a time.
Community and Leadership Responses
Scott Spradley, the Flagler Beach City Commission Chair, hailed the contract awarding as a landmark moment. He praised the long-standing efforts by state officials and local governance to secure necessary funding and permissions, bringing much-needed relief to the community. Although the project will introduce temporary inconveniences like noise and restricted beach access, Spradley emphasized that the benefits of protecting the beach and road significantly outweigh these short-term drawbacks.
Concurrent Infrastructure Enhancements
The beach reconstruction is timed alongside several other significant developments, including the demolition of the Flagler Beach pier, major roadworks on State Road A1A, the construction of a 1.3-mile seawall, and the ongoing development of the Margaritaville hotel. Heidi Petito, the County Administrator, expressed deep gratitude for the Army Corps’ persistent dedication to pushing the project forward.
Environmental Considerations and Long-term Plans
In the course of the beach restoration, Weeks Marine will not only replenish the beach but also rebuild dunes and plant a variety of native vegetation to ensure stability and ecological integrity. These efforts include planting 193,000 sea oats, 30,000 bitter panicgrass, 6,000 railroad vines, and 6,000 dune sunflowers. The project delineates federal and non-federal portions, with the federal government covering 65% of the costs for its part. This division underscores the ongoing commitment to maintaining the beach’s integrity, with periodic renourishments planned every ten years as part of a 50-year strategy.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
This extensive project signifies a robust initiative to protect and enhance Flagler Beach and highlights the collaborative effort between various levels of government and the private sector. With the beach’s infrastructure fortified against future storms and a long-term plan for its upkeep, the Flagler Beach community looks forward to a safer and more stable coastal environment.