Groin construction will bring firm grasp on sand

Millions of dollars’ worth of sand from the north end of Longboat Key disappears in a year’s time because of the highly erosive nature of the currents in that area.

That’s why Longboat Key Public Works Director Juan Florensa says a project underway this week to build two permeable adjustable groins that will hold sand in the area is a bargain for $2.1 million.

“Two years ago the Town Commission decided it’s time to put some structures there that will slow down the erosive forces and allows town to have a nice recreational beach that will stay put for four to six years as opposed to sand just disappearing after one year because it’s not sustainable,” Florensa said. “We are looking forward to maintaining a nice recreational beach in that area once the groins are installed.”

Construction on the groins started last week and should be complete by the end of May, just before the start of hurricane season on June 1, weather permitting.

One groin will be installed at the end of North Shore Road, sticking out 175 feet from the seawall in that area. The second groin will be built just north of the first groin in front of 360 North condominiums.

“They’ll look like recreational fishing piers,” said Florensa, noting the groins are identical to two groins installed behind the Islander Club in 2010.

During construction, the North Shore Road beach access will be closed, and Beer Can Island is also not accessible by foot.

Beachgoers are advised to use other nearby beaches, including the Broadway beach access.

Florensa said the groins will not create sand, but hold sand in place in that area.

After the groins are installed, approximately 20,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed in the area to help groins adapt to holding sand there. And in late 2015 or early 2016, the town will place more sand in the area once it dredges the sand available that’s sitting at the bottom of Longboat Pass.

The construction is a welcome sight for Longbeach and 360 North condominium owners.

The town placed $4 million of sand in a 2011 emergency beach project to protect Longbeach, which has seawall protection, and 360 North condominium, which doesn’t have a seawall. In 2012, Tropical Storm Debby washed away the last remaining sand.

Town Manager Dave Bullock and Florensa said protecting both condominiums is the sole purpose of the two planned groins at the north end.

“This project is a culmination of three to four years’ worth of design, permitting and construction work,” Florensa said. “The end result will be worth it.”

What’s going on at the north end?
Longboat Key’s north end is consistently losing beach to the tidal cycle, currents, waves and weather. The sand is transported from the beach to Longboat Pass from the currents. The town is installing two permeable adjustable groins to help hold sand in that area that will look like concrete fishing piers when they are finished.

For more information on the project, contact the Public Works Department at 316-1988 or email [email protected].

Beach closings
The North Shore Road beach access will not be open until the project is complete, and parking isn’t permitted along North Shore Road. Only local traffic will be allowed on the road. While the Broadway beach access is still available to beachgoers, it will be used from time to time by contractors to unload heavy equipment, cranes and front loaders to stage construction operations for the project. Pedestrian access to the Broadway beach access won’t be closed, although a small corridor of the beach near Broadway will be closed from time to time while equipment makes its way to the North Shore Road beach access for the project. Beach parking and access will remain largely unaffected at Broadway during the project.