A $28.5 million beach renourishment project in Panama City Beach is expected to be completed in early 2022.
The federally funded project—which kicked off September 11 and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—will add 2.1 million cubic yards of sand along about 12 miles of the area’s beaches.
“By replenishing the sand, this project will ensure Panama City Beach is better protected from storms and hurricanes so that people can continue to enjoy our beaches,” says Dan Rowe, Visit Panama City Beach president and CEO.
This year’s renourishment covers two areas. The western project extends from Pinnacle Port to the City Pier. The eastern project covers St. Andrews State Park to the Ocean Towers. Although not part of the project, the middle area will benefit from sand placement to its west and east.
Sand is dredged from offshore areas near Shell Island and St. Andrews Bay into a hopper dredge, which moves toward the project site. The dredge hooks up to a submerged pipeline off the beach and connects to a shore pipeline, which runs laterally along the dry beach. The sand is discharged as a water and sand slurry. The sand stays on the beach and the water runs back into the Gulf of Mexico. Bulldozers reshape the newly discharged sand.
Crews work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, weather and equipment permitting.
Due to sand losses from Hurricane Michael in 2018 and Hurricane Sally in 2020, the project team secured Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies funds for the project, with no local or state matching dollars required.
To follow progress of the project, visit https://bit.ly/3E1UC7E.