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May 1, 2008
Michelle Coats, APR
Community Information Specialist

SECTION OF BEACH IN NEW SMYRNA BEACH AFFECTED BY DREDGING/ BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECT, FLAGLER AVENUE RAMP CLOSED TEMPORARILY

UPDATE

The work zone for the beach renourishment project in New Smyrna Beach now extends from Esther Street to just north of Flagler Avenue. Beginning today, beachgoers will not be able to access the beach via Flagler Avenue. All other areas remain open to the public. Beachgoers can travel to the Ponce Inlet area via the Beachway Ramp. The 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.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) are maintenance dredging the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in the New Smyrna Beach area, the dredged beach quality sand material is being 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 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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