Restoration of Ponte Vedra Beach Completed Two Months Earlier Than Expected

Introduction

Two months ahead of schedule, St. Johns County has concluded the $38.6 million Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project. Initially, the project was planned to be finished by the middle of August. Utilizing two dredges, the contractor expedited the process to finish it by the end of June.

To build the project, the county obtained more than $30 million from the State of Florida.

The project restored eight feet of beach berm elevation, thirteen to eighteen feet of storm-damaged dunes, and a forty to eighteen-foot increase in beach width after construction.

Project Outcome

The project area covers approximately nine miles of shoreline, from the St. Johns-Duval County line to the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Estuarine Reserve.
In addition, it strengthened the shoreline, added more wildlife habitats, and increased the beach’s recreational appeal.

Future Considerations

Project Manager for the Coastal Environment Sloane Stephens stated, “We’re really excited
that this project went the way that it did. The project has been moving along really quickly, and Weeks Marine, our contractor, has done an amazing job of working to finish as soon as possible. We’re thrilled that this project will be finished before the end of Ponte Vedra’s peak hurricane season. “

If it sustains damage in a declared catastrophe, the project may qualify for support from the Florida Division of Emergency Management and FEMA.