Beach Renourishment Project Nearly Complete

There’s excitement along our Alabama beach coastline, as the first phase of the beach renourishment project officially concluded at the end of December. The Gulf Shores portion, spearheaded by the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, wrapped up a few days ahead of schedule and moved on to the Orange Beach portion, marking a significant milestone in the comprehensive plan to revitalize the coastal areas. Sand fencing installation is progressing in Gulf Shores and will continue eastward. The newly rebuilt dune will be planted in the spring.

The chief building official expressed satisfaction with the progress, emphasizing that the project has been going according to plan. The first phase, which injected 1.15 million cubic yards of sand into Gulf Shores, was completed swiftly, causing minimal inconvenience for residents and condo owners. He highlighted the urgent need for the project, citing severe erosion in certain areas that posed risks to infrastructure and public safety.

The community's response to the renourishment has been overwhelmingly positive, with officials expressing gratitude for residents' patience. The project, initiated in November 2023 with a $17 million investment, will enhance shorelines, dunes, and turtle protections across Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Gulf State Park. Two dredging vessels began working tirelessly to distribute approximately 18,500 cubic yards of sand daily, contributing to environmental protection efforts by rebuilding dunes to around 12 feet of elevation and installing plants and sand fencing.

With a focus on FEMA and AEMA reimbursements for damages caused by Hurricanes Nate and Sally, the city is committed to maintaining its engineered beaches through periodic reinvestment in renourishment projects. The ongoing restoration work, which includes an additional 405,000 cubic yards of sand, ensures FEMA eligibility, provides storm protection, widens recreational beaches, and extends the beach renourishment life cycle by approximately two years.

Despite the ongoing operation, beachgoers can still access beach areas outside the work zone, and completed restoration areas and ramps facilitate shoreline access over the pipes. As the project progresses through its phases, the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach communities anticipate restoring coastlines and enhancing environmental resilience for years to come.

You can access up-to-date project status here, photos of the project here, and schedule here.