Dredging for Canaveral Sand Bypass temporarily suspended

Dredging operations during the Canaveral Sand Bypass project are temporarily suspended today as the dredger Illinois makes its way into Port Canaveral due to forecasted inclement weather and sea conditions.

The USACE Jacksonville District said: “The good news is that we anticipate resuming dredging and sand placement this Thursday, March 6th, pending weather.”

“For now, as Mother Nature always gets the final vote during these operations, a section of beach directly south of the Cocoa Beach pier will remain closed.”

USACE awarded a $40.6 million contract September 20, 2024, to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, LLC., of Houston, Texas, for the sixth iteration of the Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass project.

The Corps also added that they will provide 100% the total costs to dredge and bypass approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of sand from the shoreline immediately north of Port Canaveral to be placed along two segments of critically eroded shoreline in Brevard County, Florida.