Posted on April 23, 2025
The Santa Rosa Island Authority plans to add approximately 1.8 trillion cubic yards of sand on an eight-mile stretch on the Gulf side of Pensacola Beach from Park East to Park West beginning as early as Nov. 1.
SRIA Executive Director Mike Burns told the News Journal that the beach renourishment project will conclude by Memorial Day next year.
The sand itself will cost officials $20 per cubic yard, and they estimate the project will cost approximately $36 million.
The SRIA has set aside money for the project since 2017 through its Beach Nourishment Fund and expects to have $10.1 million available once the project begins. There is $8.1 million already in reserves, and the SRIA expects to generate an additional $2 million by the time the project starts.
Escambia County has also committed $3.3 million toward the renourishment efforts, bringing the total available to $13.4 million. The Florida Legislature will match the combined contributions of the SRIA and Escambia County as well.
The Tourist Development Council agreed last week to fund the remaining $9.2 million, which still must be approved by Escambia County Commissioners.
“(The TDC) were quite helpful in making sure we came up with that funding, so I think we’re going to be right on target for exactly what we need to do the beach renourishment,” said Burns.
The SRIA is a governmental entity funded by lease fees collected from beach businesses and residences.
The SRIA plans to award a contract for the project during their final meeting of April, where they will choose between four bidding contractors for the project.
