Today is the 11th of March, 2026, and for beachgoers in St. Lucie County, some changes are on the horizon. A significant federal beach renourishment project is set to kick off at the end of this month, specifically targeting the areas around Seaway Drive and Jetty Park on South Hutchinson Island. As of today, portions of Seaway Drive and the Jetty Park parking areas are already closed, following the initial closures that began on March 11.
This beach renourishment initiative is a response to urgent measures taken by the city of Fort Pierce and the county to combat ongoing erosion at South Beach. Erosion poses a severe threat to local dunes, properties, and the vital State Road A1A. The project, spearheaded by Manson Construction and commissioned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, aims to pump approximately 400,000 cubic yards of sand along a one-mile stretch of shoreline south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. The sand will be sourced through underwater dredging from offshore deposits near Fort Pierce.
Project Timeline and Impact
The timeline for this beach renourishment project is quite tight, with a planned completion date around March 16. However, this is just the beginning, as all filling equipment is expected to be cleared from the beach by March 30. The South Jetty area and nearby beaches will be closed from March 14 to March 23 to facilitate the work.
Overall, the project has a hefty price tag of $15.1 million, with over 75% of the funding coming from federal sources and about 23% from the St. Lucie County Erosion District. While the added sand is a temporary fix, it is anticipated that further replenishment will be necessary every two years to maintain the shoreline. Looking to the future, a more permanent solution may involve the construction of T-groins offshore, with plans aiming for completion in 2030, although there are efforts to expedite this to 2026.
Looking Ahead
As construction progresses, periodic closures of Seaway Drive, the Jetty, and the surrounding beaches will be essential until the project’s completion, which is expected by mid-May. This project is not just about aesthetics; it also aims to bolster resilience against storm damage to both residential and commercial infrastructures while enhancing habitat for coastal marine life.
For more details on this ongoing project and its implications for our cherished beach areas, you can check out the full coverage here and here.
Coastal areas face unique challenges due to factors like climate change and human impact. Monitoring efforts in coastal and marine regions, across various environments, highlight the need for tailored approaches to address issues like coastal erosion and the shifting dynamics of marine ecosystems. The knowledge gained from these ongoing projects will be crucial in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change on our coastlines.