St. Johns County Secures $1.48 Million for Coastal Resiliency and Boating Access Projects

• 3 September 2026
• Category: SJC News Infrastructure
• Tags: 2026

St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District funding will support improvements at Vilano Boat Ramp and Summer Haven

St. Johns County has secured $1.483 million in grant funding from the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District to support two important projects that enhance public boating access and strengthen coastal resiliency. The funds were secured through collaboration between the St. Johns County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Parks and Recreation, and Coastal Management, highlighting St. Johns County’s continued focus on Organizational Excellence — a pillar of its Strategic Plan.

The District awarded $500,000 for the Vilano Boat Ramp Repair Project and $983,000 for the Summer Haven River Dredge and Dune Project, providing significant investments in St. Johns County’s coastal infrastructure and waterways.

The funding represents a continued partnership between St. Johns County and the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District to preserve and improve public access to the County’s waterways while supporting the long-term resilience of coastal communities.

The $500,000 award for the Vilano Boat Ramp Repair Project will support improvements to the heavily used deep-water access facility, which provides access to the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.

An engineering assessment completed in June 2026 identified opportunities to maintain the ramp’s functionality, improve structural stability, and extend its service life. The project’s phased approach includes pressure grouting concrete slabs to stabilize the ramp, installing sheet piles to reduce erosion and improve support, and targeted repairs to the existing seawall.

The improvements are expected to extend the useful life of the facility by approximately 10 years while helping maintain this important public boating access. Engineering, permitting, and construction are anticipated to begin in Fall 2026, with completion expected in Summer 2027.

The $983,000 award for the Summer Haven River Dredge and Dune Project will support improvements designed to enhance coastal protection and strengthen infrastructure along the Summer Haven River.

The project includes excavation of the Summer Haven River and construction of a dune or berm using beach-compatible sand for infrastructure and river protection, extending from the northern revetment to the Old A1A access.

St. Johns County and the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District have a history of working together on dredging and excavation activities in the Summer Haven River. The latest investment builds on that partnership and supports continued efforts to protect the area’s coastal infrastructure and natural resources.

Together, the projects demonstrate St. Johns County’s continued commitment to maintaining safe and accessible public boating facilities, investing in coastal infrastructure, and building resilient communities. These are core elements of the St. Johns County Strategic Plan priorities of Enhance Conservation, Infrastructure, and Community Well-Being.

St. Johns County appreciates the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District for its generous support and continued partnership in advancing projects that benefit residents, visitors and the County’s coastal communities. For more information about St. Johns County Featured Projects, including those from Coastal Management, Public Works, and Utilities, visit the Featured Projects web page.