Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project
Announcements
UPCOMING MICKLER’S CLOSURES
Mickler’s Landing parking and beach access will be temporarily closed Wednesday May 15, for the delivery of large equipment.
St. Johns County will close Mickler’s Landing parking and beach access from Saturday, May 18, through Thursday, May 23, so the County’s chosen contractor, Weeks Marine, can continue its expedited work on the project.
- Intermittent closures of Mickler’s Landing are expected as the project progresses. There will be no closures during observed County holidays. Please check back here for the most up-to-date information.
- Construction is underway as of March 29, 2024.
- Crews have begun planting dune vegetation in completed fill areas and installing post & rope at public access points as of April 15, 2024.
- Please click the buttons below for additional project details. PLEASE NOTE: The anticipated schedule is subject to change. The schedule will be updated on at least a weekly basis (last revised: May 13, 2024).
Previous Meetings
- Board of County Commissioners: At the February 20th, 2024 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the contractor Weeks Marine was selected. A recording of the meeting may be viewed here: Meeting Presentation
- St. Johns County Set to Begin $38.6 Million Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project: Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project Begins – St. Johns County (sjcfl.us)
- Erosion Control Line (ECL) Workshop was held on Thursday, October 26, 6-8 pm at GTMNERR, 505 Guana River Rd. The purpose of this meeting was for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to consider the location of a proposed Erosion Control Line (ECL) in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Proposed Erosion Control Line Map | Meeting Presentation
- The ECL was recorded at the end of December 2023.
- Open House public meetings were held on October 2, and October 10, 6-8pm at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to discuss this project. Beach Nourishment Community Meeting 10/2/2023 – YouTube | Meeting Presentation
Overview
Project Description
St. Johns County has secured permits to place approximately two million cubic yards of sand on the beaches in Ponte Vedra Beach between the Duval County line to the north, and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve to the south.
The sand will be brought in to construct a dune and berm system throughout the project area.
The project will dredge sand from the permitted offshore borrow site out in federal waters and pump it onto the beach with large pipes, where it will be shaped by into position by heavy equipment.
This project will enhance the dune system by adding sand at the seaward edge of the existing dune, planting sea oats and supporting vegetation, and creating a more uniform front to the dune system within the project area.
Project Location
8.9 miles of Ponte Vedra Beach, from the County line to GTM.
Funding
The County has secured over $30 million form the State towards the construction of the project, which is estimated to cost approximately $40 million. Likewise, the County has committed over $8 million to the project cost.
Once constructed, and a maintenance/monitoring plan is in place, the project could be eligible for post-disaster funding assistance from FEMA and the FL DEM in the event the project is damaged in a declared disaster.
Anticipated Timeline
Please note that dates are subject to change due to unanticipated delays such as weather.
- Mobilization
- Started: March 18
- Completed: early-April
- Construction
- Started: March 29
- Anticipated completion: mid-late June
- Demobilization
- Anticipated start: mid-late June
- Anticipated completion: early-July
FAQs
1. Will Mickler’s be impacted for the whole duration of the project?
- Mickler’s will be temporarily closed for demobilization (expected late-June).
- There is a possibility for intermittent closures throughout the project.
- Any closures to Mickler’s will be advertised to the public and posted on this website under “Announcements”.
- There will be no closures during observed County holidays.
2. What are the anticipated hours?
- Dredging and sand placement will occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
3. Will it be loud near the active construction site?
- Please expect there to be beeping noises and the movement of heavy machinery (bulldozers) within active construction areas.
4. How will the new dunes be preserved?
- Planting crews will be following shortly after construction to plant dune vegetation.
- Post and rope will be installed at public access points to assist in guiding pedestrian activity.
- “Stay Off the Dune” signs are available to beachfront residents, to install at the toe of the new dune. Please email or call us for more information.
5. What protections are being provided for wildlife during the project?
- Trained environmental monitors conduct daily inspections to ensure the safety of sea turtles and shorebirds.
- Sea turtle nests laid within the immediate project work zone will be relocated to safe areas locally.
- The project is limited to progressing 500 feet during the night, which is fenced off before dark.
- Project lighting is shielded to limit the direct lighting to the immediate area of active construction.
- The dredges utilize specialized equipment to minimize the impact to endangered species within the borrow area.
- The Contractor must abide by the environmental protection conditions listed in the State and Federal permits.
6. Will I be able to access the beach during the project?
- For safety purposes, there will be no beach access in areas of active construction. These areas are blocked off by red-orange construction fencing as the construction area moves down the beach.
- Once a beach fill area is complete and the area is safe for public use, the Contractor will remove construction fencing and access to the beach may resume.
- Beachgoers may see minor activity on the beach post-construction, such as planting crews and installation of post and rope, which will not impact the public’s use of the beach.
The Beach Brief – An E-newsletter for Timely Updates on St. Johns County Beach Projects
St. Johns County remains dedicated to providing our residents, visitors, and businesses with timely and accurate information regarding current and upcoming St. Johns County beach projects. The monthly “Beach Brief” provides subscribers with an overview of beach renourishment, dune enhancement, and other major coastal projects.
