Posted on May 21, 2026
The 2026 Grand Strand Beach Renourishment Project is up and running again after it was delayed for two months due to mechanical and scheduling conflicts.
The $72 million Grand Strand Beach Renourishment Project includes 26 miles of coastal restoration, with tons of sand being pumped onto publiuc access beaches to repair hurricane erosion. The project has resulted in the temporary closing of some public access points.
After the delay, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District updated the timeline May 5, in an effort to inform the public.
Sand placement in North Myrtle Beach, or Reach One, ended Jan. 31. Work then moved into Reach Two, into Myrtle Beach, as expected but a series of unexpected delays halted progress.
“Everyone on the team, from the Corps, the municipalities and the contractor, is disappointed by the delays and the impacts to the public,” said Sonja Carter, USACE project manager. “We recognize renourishment during the summer months can be disruptive,” she said. “However, it’s imperative we complete the project before peak hurricane season as these projects are designed to protect the community from storm surge.”
Due to previous machinery placement, work in Arcadian Shores started in early May and was ongoing there last week. Beach-goers didn’t seem to be fazed by the work crews. Some danced to music from their Bluetooth speakers as large sand-moving vehicles roared in the background.
Suzie Bachman, from Winston-Salem NC, sat on a bench near her Arcadian Shores condo parking lot and watched as soggy sand was pumped onto the beach in front of her.
“I’m very interested in the whole project,” Bachman, who is a bookkeeper, said. “I try to calculate how many people are working, what they get paid and how many hours do they work?”
She also said it does not bother her that beach access is impeded by the renourishment work. “It’s needed, it makes the beach better, and I’m glad they are doing it,” Bachman said. “And I can just walk down a little further and get on the beach. That’s what I do.”
The Arcadian Shores portion of the renourishment effort is a separate, locally funded project undertaken by Horry County in partnership with the City of Myrtle Beach.
