Posted on August 27, 2026
A roughly $20 million beach nourishment project could begin in Emerald Isle this winter after the Carteret County Beach Commission received bids below its budget.
The commission recently voted unanimously to move forward with the project. The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners and Carteret County Board of Commissioners are expected to formally consider awarding a construction contract in September, according to the Town of Emerald Isle.
If approved, construction is expected to take place between December and April.
The Town of Emerald Isle said the project would place approximately 1 million cubic yards of sand along three sections of Emerald Isle covering about 4.5 miles of shoreline. The areas were identified as most in need of nourishment following annual beach monitoring earlier this year.
The project is estimated to cost about $20 million and would be funded through Carteret County room occupancy tax revenue and special district property taxes reserved for beach nourishment.
