Sand pumping delayed

Storms and a cold front that brought strong winds have delayed the start of a sand project that was supposed to begin sand placement on the north end of the Key by Wednesday.

Public Works Director Juan Florensa said sand should be flowing from a large pipe onto the north end of the Key sometime this weekend. 

Sand pumping is expected to be complete by mid-July.

Sand will be pumped six days a week, 12 hours a day and the town’s noise ordinance won’t apply to the contractor.

WCIND will place up to 100,000 cubic yards of sand on the shoreline and has agreed to pay $500,000 toward the project. The town will make up the remaining cost of up to $350,000 for the estimated $850,000 project.

Bullock is hopeful two groins can be built on the north end while some of the sand being placed there this month is still intact. The town received a permit for the groin project last week and will have a contractor ready to begin construction once the state signs off on a modified Erosion Control Line for the north end of the Key.

South end residents worried about erosion hotspots near L’Ambiance, Pierre and Regent Place, meanwhile, will see sand help soon.

Bullock said the town is considering trucking in sand to alleviate concerns before sand arrives in summer 2015, once the town and city of Sarasota reach an agreement to share sand dredged from New Pass.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]