Flagler County, Fla. — Flagler County leaders announced on Monday that the US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District awarded a $27 million contract to Weeks Marine for the initial construction of the Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.

What You Need To Know

  • USACE Jacksonville District awarded a $27 million contract May 2, 2024, to Weeks Marine, Inc., of Cranford, New Jersey, for initial construction of the Flagler County, Florida, Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) project

  • The Flagler County CSRM project is a federally authorized, 50-year project designed to provide sustainable coastal storm risk management for property, critical infrastructure such as evacuation route SR A1A, and environmental habitat while providing recreational opportunities for residents and tourists

  • The project will include construction and extension of the coastal dune and berm (open beach) based on pre-Hurricane Matthew dimensions 
  • Construction will begin in June and will take place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, leaders hope it will be completed by March 2025

The federally authorized 50-year project designed to protect critical infrastructure along State Road A1A.  

The primary purpose of the Flagler County Coastal Storm Risk Management Project is to reduce storm damage to coastal infrastructure, including residential and commercial property and public facilities. Opportunities to reduce the risk of coastal damages and improve eroded conditions were examined and approximately 9.7 miles of Flagler County coastline were investigated during the feasibility study process.

Beach and dune erosion, both long-term and storm created, is the greatest problem in the Flagler County area. Due to unique beach sediments, the closeness of State Road A1A and existing coastal development, the county’s dune system is experiencing a long-term erosion trend with little opportunity for natural recovery. The establishment of a functional dune system is key to reducing damages to infrastructure and maintaining environmental quality. State Road A1A is the only north-south hurricane evacuation route for communities along the coastline, which makes it essential for public safety during evacuation events.

Recent hurricanes have also contributed to the problem impacting several businesses along SR- A1A. Manager of the Beach Front Motel in Flagler Beach, Emily Tamerius says as the summer season approaches, they start getting busier. Being located right across from the beach on A1A, they have experienced first-hand the damage from recent storms.

“So after the most recent hurricane, we had some damage with our walkway over here and the stairs were completely taken out.” Tamerius said.

The Corps’ authorized project will provide additional armoring and protection of upland infrastructure, including SR A1A. 

Tamerius said they are excited about the project and what it will mean for local businesses in the area.

“I think it’s going to be great. I think having that sort of money for a project is going to help a lot of tourists traveling. The scenery of the beach is going to look 100% better with the dunes being fixed,” she said.

The project consists of a 10-foot seaward extension of the existing dune along 2.6 miles between 6th to 28th streets in central Flagler Beach. Construction of the dune will extend the existing berm and the entire active profile seaward. It will include the construction and extension of the coastal dune and the existing berm, resulting in a wider beach area for recreation and storm protection.

During the construction they will place sand on, under and around public and private walkovers like this one right here to maintain a continuous and protective dune profile.

US Army Corps of Engineers’ David Ruderman said the primary goal is to reduce storm damage to coastal infrastructure, including residential and commercial property and public facilities.

“By the time this is done, they are going to have a lot more towel room out on a beautiful beach. I think it’ll augment economic activity locally, but even more importantly in the long range, it’ll secure the safety, the shoreline resilience of Flagler Beach and Flagler County on into the future,” Ruderman said.

Ruderman said during the construction, beach access will be restricted in the active construction zones and residents will see some road closures and detours.

“So we may see more traffic flow in the back alleyways, but that’s okay. I think it’ll be good for a short term when the end results are going to be beneficial for us,” Tamerius said.

Construction will begin in June and will take place 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The project is expected to take approximately nine months, with completion in March 2025, pending unforeseeable weather delays.

Upon completion, the project will become eligible for emergency beach renourishment following significant storm events at 100% federal cost. The project will be renourished every 11 years or sooner if needed.