Posted on December 10, 2025
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, celebrated the kick-off of the Delray Beach Segment of the Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project with local governmental representatives from non-Federal sponsor Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach, Monday, in anticipation of the renourishment of 2.65 miles of shoreline, starting January 2026.
“We are incredibly excited to begin the next renourishment of the Delray Beach segment this winter, following the devastating impacts of the 2022 Hurricane Season,” said Col. Brandon Bowman, Commander of the Jacksonville District. “This upcoming effort focuses on the entire stretch from just south of Hidden Harbor Drive to south of Atlantic Dunes Park, marking the ninth beach renourishment or rehabilitation project we’ve completed here since the very first one in 1973”.
To date, the Jacksonville District, in close partnership with Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach, has placed over 8.2 million cubic yards of sand on Delray’s shoreline. During the next iteration of the project, the USACE will place 550K cubic yards of sand at 100% Federal cost through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach have funded the additional 750K CYS to extend the beach seaward beyond the Federal project’s construction template.
“Today, we’re celebrating the next 1.3M cubic yards of sand, which we’ll begin placing in January! At a yard deep, this would fill over 200 football fields,” Bowman emphasized.
“Nourishing our beach is part of Delray Beach’s larger commitment to coastal resilience and responsible environmental stewardship,” said Tom Carney, Mayor of the City of Delray Beach. “This effort is only possible because of strong collaboration across all levels of government, and I want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for leading this project; By taking proactive steps now, we are ensuring that our beaches remain accessible, safe, and sustainable for generations to come”.
Strengthening and fortifying Delray’s shoreline reduces the impacts of storm surge and wave-generated erosion. A strong, fortified beach protect Delray Beach’s homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, while stimulating local economy, sustaining the livelihood and investments of the people who call Delray Beach home.
The project will commence in January of 2026, and is expected to conclude, outside of weather or construction delays, before turtle-nesting season in May.
