Hilton Head beaches about to get a refreshing blast of new sand. Where and when?
The Town of Hilton Head has finalized their schedule and start date for the $47.5 million dollar beach renourishment project.
The project is split up into three phases, with the first beginning on Aug. 6 on Fish Haul Beach. The town anticipates that the whole project will finish in May 2026.
The town pursues beach renourishment about every 10 years to offset the effects of storms and erosion on local beaches.
Contractors will dredge in total around 2.2 million cubic yards of sand from an offshore site and push it through pipes to the island’s beaches. Once on the beach, bulldozers and other equipment will move the sand where it needs to go. The project is funded by a town tax on short term rentals and hotels.
Due to construction activities, the town will close Fish Haul Beach Park for approximately 5 days starting Aug. 6.
The construction schedule is as follows.
Dates and locations of phase one:
- Fish Haul Beach will occur Aug. 6 though Aug. 15.
- Pine Island will occur Aug 15. through Sept. 11.
- Port Royal will occur Sept. 15 through Nov. 13.
Dates and locations of phase two:
- Central Island, including Palmetto Dunes, will occur Nov. 13 through Feb 14.
- South Island and South Beach will occur Feb 14. through May 8
The third phase of the project includes installing breakwater structures near Pine Island, and the town hasn’t determined the schedule for that project.
The construction will move down the beach and affect about around 300 feet of beach at any given time, according to the Town of Hilton Head. Construction will occur around the clock.
The town’s contractor will begin moving equipment, including offshore barges and pipes, in July.
