USACE Completes Miami Beach Renourishment Project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, yesterday announced the completion of the Miami Beach erosional hotspots beach renourishment.

The $11.9 million project is part of the ongoing Miami-Dade County Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project.

“The Corps’ contractor, Eastman Aggregate, rose to the challenge and was a great partner, along with the City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County. It was a team effort, and the residents seem very happy with the results,” said Corps project manager Laurel Reichold.

Eastman Aggregate Enterprises, LLC of Lake Worth placed 233,300 cubic yards of beach-quality sand from an upland sand mine on more than 3,000 feet of critically eroded shoreline in two locations in Miami Beach.

Construction started in the 46th Street section on August 23, 2016 and was completed by November 9. A total of 149,665 cubic yards of sand was placed during construction operations at that location. The contractor mobilized at the 54th Street location on January 4, 2017, placing 83,665 cubic yards of sand by February 28. All phases of construction were complete by March 24.

“The renourished beach will help protect infrastructure from both seasonal storms and hurricanes,” said City of Miami Beach representative Elizabeth Wheaton. “The city relies on its beaches to protect infrastructure, preserve wildlife, support the economy, and build coastal resiliency.”

The project was cost-shared between the federal government (56.6%), Miami-Dade County (21.9%) and the state of Florida (21.5%).

The Sunny Isles Beach project is the next federal beach renourishment project scheduled for Miami-Dade County. The contract award for the project is scheduled for the end of July 2017, with construction expected to begin in September, lasting approximately four to six months.