FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — Flagler County officials announced to residents that the Florida Department Of Transportation (FDOT) is starting the buried seawall construction project this week.

What You Need To Know

  • FDOT started working on the first of two buried seawall construction along State Road A1A on Thursday

  • The contractor placed construction-related signage in Flagler County from just north of South Central Avenue in Flagler Beach and extend it southward to just below the county line, according to FDOT

  • The first step in the process is to shift the travel lanes on State Road A1A a few feet to the west within the existing asphalt to allow two-way traffic to continue during construction

  • During construction, FDOT and county officials ask everyone to stay out of the construction area for safety

The project was recommended in the State Road A1A Resiliency Plan, which was a joint effort by representatives from the FDOT, Flagler County, the City of Flagler Beach, and Volusia County to explore options to repair and strengthen State Road A1A in Flagler and Volusia counties.

On Thursday, FDOT started the construction on the first of two buried seawalls along A1A. The contractor placed construction-related signage in Flagler County from just north of South Central Avenue in Flagler Beach and extend it southward to just below the county line, according to FDOT. 

Following the signage placement, they anticipate the construction team will begin working to shift the travel lanes on State Road A1A a few feet to the west within the existing asphalt. This will allow two-way traffic to continue during construction. All work will occur during daytime hours but will require a single-lane closure with flagging operations from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

“This is not one of our projects but because it will impact Flagler County residents and visitors — especially with some schools having Spring Break this week — we want to help get the word out to our community,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito. “There are some expected lane closures as the work progresses, and we ask for your patience during the construction.”

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Buried seawall construction begins along A1A in Flagler County. (FDOT)

According to the FDOT, each wall is about 1.3 miles long. Both seawalls will use a secant wall design in which reinforced concrete piles are drilled deep into the sand and then capped with concrete. The capped tops will be level with the dunes, and the seawalls will be completely covered with sand and newly planted vegetation.

“The buried seawall that is being constructed is going to have sand placed in front of these walls, basically to have a nice beach and protect the dunes and the erosion that we know is coming,” Flagler County Engineer Hamid Tabassian said. 

Some walkovers will need to be temporarily removed during construction. FDOT will coordinate with the owners of the walkover and will replace any affected walkovers in-kind as soon as possible once the work is completed.

During construction, FDOT and county officials ask everyone to stay out of the construction area for safety.

“Some inconveniences, as far as utilizing and enjoying the beach and in the area of construction, but is requested to stay away from the construction zone and then ultimately they will be able to enjoy the beach,” Tabassian said.  

In addition to the buried seawalls, the Resiliency Plan includes the USACE Beach Renourishment project in Flagler Beach from South 28th Street to South 7th Street. In conjunction with this federal project is a local project funded by Flagler County and the FDOT that will provide beach renourishment from north of Gamble Rogers State Park to South 28th Street and from South 7th Street to North 7th Street. Work on the beach nourishment projects is expected to begin in July 2024.