St. Augustine Beach Renourishment Project Begins Friday, Dec. 28

Jacksonville, FL — Dredging operations are set to begin for the St. Augustine Beach renourishment project on Friday December 29th, but will be temporarily suspended for Beach Blast on December 31st.

Crews will be working through January 21st from Anastasia Park to Pope Road, then from Pope Road to the St. Augustine Beach pier from mid-January to mid-February.

Sand placement will then take place from the pier to 15th Street to 9th Street in March and April, weather permitting.

During this time, Pope Road will be closed.

Workers will place approximately 800,000 cubic yards of sand from the navigation channel and ebb shoal on the eroded beach.

This project will be constructed from 1,300 feet north of the southern limits of Anastasia State Park to 9th Street in St. Augustine Beach.

Officials warn residents of noise from back-up alarms, but Jason Harrah, project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the noise will be in compliance of all federal and state noise regulations

Visitors and residents will be allowed full access outside the work areas for the duration of the project, and closings will occur in segments while work in a particular area is done.

Harrah says it's important that this project gets done to protect not only the beach itself, but the property- public and private- that it surrounds.

The project's purpose is not only hurricane repair, but also to extend the life of the beach and its surroundings.