Posted on October 26, 2026
By Elena Key
An $8 million beach renourishment project starts Monday along the Naples shoreline.
Crews started setting up earlier this month, but Monday marks the first day of sand replacement. More sand is coming to the shoreline — 208,000 tons of it.
“This is a harder sand to walk on now than I’m used to. So I’m used to the fluffy sand that had you know last year. So this is to me, it kind of needs it,” beachgoer John Gardetto said.
“I have concerns about the long time viability of it as a project. Each year we put sand in, and every year the ocean takes it away with sea levels rising, I don’t know how long we can sustain this,” beachgoer Cheryl Mueller said.
Collier County’s beach renourishment project is expected to require approximately 9,450 truck trips to deliver the sand. The trucks will use two designated routes to deliver the sand to the north and south beach access points.
Expect some traffic when traveling near those sites. Beachgoer Janice Gardetto said adjusting to the work is part of the process.
“You just kind of adjust to what they’re doing. Yeah. So they have to do what they do to make the beach better,” Janice Gardetto said.
Work is scheduled from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The beach will be open to the public, but some sections will be temporarily closed as crews move in and replenish the sand.
Those restrictions will be lifted as work is completed in each area. The goal is to rebuild a 3.5-mile stretch of shoreline from Doctor’s Pass to an area south of 21st Avenue.
That stretch lost significant amounts of sand during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. For neighbors, it’s bringing more beauty to their backyard.
“It’s going to bring people. It’s going to bring people. It looks beautiful when they do it. It needs it. I can see that just from walking up and down,” John Gardetto said.
“I think it’s great. We need more sand on the beaches, and it’s what brings tourists to our community, so I’m thrilled,” Mueller said.
The project is expected to wrap up by Christmas.
