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April 18, 2008
Michelle Coats, APR,
Community Information Specialist

SECTION OF BEACH IN NEW SMYRNA BEACH AFFECTED BY DREDGING/ BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECT

The work zone for the beach renourishment project in New Smyrna Beach now extends to just south of Crawford Avenue. Driving will be disrupted along the short work zone section. All other areas remain open to the public. Beachgoers can travel to the Ponce Inlet area via the Beachway Ramp. The Flagler, Third and 27th avenues ramps are open.

Background
A short section of New Smyrna Beach is closed for a Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) beach renourishment project. The work zone between Crawford and Flagler avenues will be closed for approximately one week. The sand replacement project will continue in stages south along the beach as weather and work conditions permit.

“Once the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) start the maintenance dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in the New Smyrna Beach area, the dredged beach quality sand material will be deposited along the beach,” said Joe Nolin, Volusia County coastal division director. “The beach renourishment is an added benefit from the maintenance dredging project.”

The sand dredged from the Intracoastal Waterway is being pumped through pipes onto the beach. It is then graded into dune line to encourage more natural protection.

North Beach Community Park remains open. Driving will be disrupted along the short work zone section. All other areas remain open to the public. Beachgoers can travel to the Ponce Inlet area via Beachway Ramp. The Flagler, Third and 27th avenues ramps are open. Beachgoers are advised to stay away from the 200-500 foot construction area and the pipeline. The construction area advances south along the beach by approximately 100 -200 feet a day as work progresses, according to Nolin.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FIND project is maintenance dredging the middle and northern reaches of the Intracoastal Waterway channel in Volusia County in the vicinity of Ponce de Leon Inlet and New Smyrna Beach. Approximately 269,000 cubic yards of beach quality dredged material will be placed on the beaches of New Smyrna from approximately Sapphire Road to approximately 21st Avenue.

“We’re doing all we can to communicate with beachgoers and affected residents and businesses about the rolling closures,” said Nolin. “We are tracking the beach closures and providing up-to-date information on the County website, Volusia.org. Additionally, we have placed signage where we can.”

Although the renourishment work is not a county project, the county is assisting with public information as a service to beach visitors, residents and businesses, Nolin explained.

For further information on the dredging project, please contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Corporate Communication Office at 904-232-1238 or 904-728-1182.

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