Posted on June 1, 2026
The 2026 beach nourishment project in Avon has been temporarily paused after the dredge Liberty Island experienced a mechanical issue shortly after beginning sand placement operations this week.
According to an update released Friday by Dare County, the dredge—which began pumping sand onto the beach in Avon on Thursday, May 28—is heading offsite for repairs and is currently expected to return early next week to resume operations.
Prior to the interruption, crews had begun pumping sand in the middle of the project area between Pampas Drive and Yucca Street, where heavy equipment, pipes, and staging operations marked the start of the project’s active work phase.
Once the dredge returns, contractors plan to work north towards the Avon Pier before reversing directions to complete the southern taper of the nourishment project.
The Avon beach nourishment project extends from Avon Pier to the southern border of Avon Village and is expected to place approximately 375,000 cubic yards of sand along the shoreline.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company estimates that the sand placement portion of the project will take approximately two weeks, although timelines remain subject to weather conditions, equipment issues, and other unforeseen circumstances.
The project marks the first phase of Dare County’s 2026 beach nourishment efforts on Hatteras Island.
Beach nourishment projects involve dredging sand from offshore borrow areas and pumping the material onto sections of shoreline, where it is shaped by heavy equipment to widen beaches and temporarily provide relief from erosion.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company was selected by Dare County earlier this year to carry out both the Avon and Buxton nourishment projects.
Following completion of work in Avon, the contractor is expected to relocate equipment to Buxton, where a much larger nourishment project is planned. Current Buxton projections call for approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand to be placed along 2.9 miles of shoreline over an estimated 95-day construction period, depending on weather conditions.
As part of the Avon project, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has temporarily closed the parking lot at ORV Ramp 38 through July 15, or until the project is completed. National Park Service officials have advised visitors to expect occasional delays entering and exiting the ORV beach access ramp while nourishment-related equipment is moved to and from the work area.
Residents and visitors can follow the project’s progress through Dare County’s interactive Avon Beach Nourishment map at the online project tracker.
