Groin project might start sooner than expected

The possibility exists that both sand and two sand-saving structures could come to the north end of the Key this summer.

But it’s a slim chance, according to Town Manager Dave Bullock.

Town officials expect to receive a federal permit for the north end groin project Friday, much sooner than they originally expected.

Public Works Director Juan Florensa said once the town receives the permit, it can place bids for service from contractors for two groins.

“In an ideal world, we could start construction on the groins when we place sand there this summer,” Florensa said. “But that all depends on if we receive the permit and a bid process for a contractor goes smoothly.”

Bullock confirmed to the Longboat Key Town Commission in March that he believes the town should place sand on the north end as soon as it becomes available. At that time, groin installation wasn’t expected until summer 2015.

Longboat Key is interested in sand for its shore that the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) plans to dredge from the Intracoastal Waterway near Jewfish Key this summer.

Approximately 50,000 to 75,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed on the north end up to the Broadway beach access. The sand was originally meant to act as a stopgap fix until sand-saving structures can be built the following summer.

But an expedited permit doesn’t mean the stars will necessarily align to perform both projects together.

“It would be fantastic, but doubtful,” Bullock said. “But with any luck the groin project will start sooner than we originally thought.”

And some sand to the north end will act as a buffer before the groins arrive.

In a March 7 email to the commission, Bullock explained WCIND’s project calls for dredging the channel near Longboat Pass, while placing beach-compatible sand on the north end of Longboat Key. WCIND will dredge the channel northwest of Jewfish Key to prepare to install flood shoal sand traps in that area. The traps, once installed, will trap between 40,000 and 60,000 cubic yards of sand that is swept off the north end of the Key and deposited in a large sandbar near Jewfish Key.

WCIND has been working on a permit for the sand traps because that same sand also makes its way into the Intracoastal Waterway, clogging up the boating channel and forcing the district to perform expensive dredging projects.

Bullock said the town will get 100% of the sand dredged for its shores, with Manatee County receiving 100% of the sand the next time the site is dredged. Future projects will receive a 50/50 split between the county and the town.

WCIND has also agreed to allocate $500,000 toward the project.

Bullock will bring back to the commission at its April workshop an estimate on how much the town will have to contribute toward the sand project.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]