Posted on January 28, 2019
File photo: March 2016: Beach renourishment project near the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier at Freeman Park.
CAROLINA BEACH – Hurricane Florence eroded the beach front in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. A project was already scheduled in the spring of 2019 to pump sand onto the beach front. The Army Corp of Engineers consider that erosion an emergency and that funding be secured to help mitigate the impacts of Florence.
Florence brought strong surf conditions to New Hanover County beaches. In many areas dunes suffered heavy erosion leaving twelve to fifteen foot high escarpments or cliffs.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wilmington District announced that the periodic nourishment contract was awarded on Nov. 30, 2018, at a cost of approximately $17.4-million to Weeks Marine, Incorporated.
On January 16th, Carolina Beach Councilman Steve Shuttleworth explained, “I Attended the pre-construction meeting today at the Corps of Engineer’s office for the Coastal Storm Damage Reduction project. The Weeks Marine team ( the project contractor) was there along with Layton Bledsoe from the County, Kure Beach representatives and numerous Corps staff. Weeks said they will be starting the pre-project final survey this week. We should see equipment on the north end around the 28th of Jan. As you all recall they start by delivering the pipe sections which are stockpiled on the northern end of Freeman Park. The cutter head dredge plant is stationed in the inlet area right up on the shore. That dredge is cutting and pumping sand out of the deep hole right off the tip of Freeman Park.”
He explained, “They then pump it through pipes and keep extending the pipe sections down the beach. As the pipe is extended they will cover a small section every so many yards to allow pedestrian crossing. As they extend the pipe the bull dozers sand placement equipment will be cordoned off and access to that section of the beach will be restricted until they pass further on. They will reopen the area as they pass far enough down the beach.”
Source: Coastal News Today
