Beach project begins next month

Slowly, but surely, a dredge is on its way to Longboat Key to pump sand ashore on the north end of the island.

An emergency beach project that will bring 133,000 cubic yards of sand to the north end will commence in early March, and a pipe will be laid out across the beach as early as next week.

The project originally was slated to begin in December, but the dredge has undergone maintenance, permitting and inspection delays.

Pedestrian and beach access parking will be partially restricted during construction at the Broadway beach access. The North Shore Road beach access will remain closed until the beach is restored.

Sand will be placed on the beach from just south of Broadway to just north of the North Shore Road beach access toward Beer Can Island. The project is expected to be completed in 90 to 120 days, weather permitting.

Beachgoers are advised to stay clear of construction equipment on the beach, exercise caution and respect access-restricted construction zones.

Town staff had been working to receive a permit from FDEP all year, which allows the town to rebuild the entire beach profile, or a 200-foot-wide beach that used to exist in that area.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].