Longboat Key suspends beach project for Fourth of July

As families descend on Longboat Key beaches during the Fourth of July weekend, they will likely notice the shorelines — and roadways — are a bit quieter.

From July 1, to July 4, the town will suspend its mid-Key beach renourishment, which regularly  brings hundreds of trucks a day to the island to deliver sand. Beachgoers would normally have to deal with large, yellow Caterpillar trucks traversing the beaches to spread the new sand.

The town has nearly finished up the renourishment, as Earth Tech Enterprises Inc. has transported more than 240,000 tons of sand — or 78% of the projected total — to Longboat’s shores. The contractor is currently working from the 3200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive north to Buttonwood Cove, according to the latest update from the town.

Town offices will also be closed on July 4, which will move back the regular Town Commission meeting and a special meeting to the following day.

Trash and recycling collection services will take place on Tuesday, July 5, as well.