FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — Staging for the long-awaited Fort Pierce Shore Protection Project is officially underway at Jetty Park, bringing a series of public closures to South Hutchinson Island beginning Wednesday. This $15.1 million federal renourishment project marks a transition from the emergency “stop-gap” measures that have been in place for months as the coastline faced some of its most severe erosion in recent history.

Starting Wednesday, motorists and visitors will encounter restrictions as portions of Seaway Drive and several parking areas at Jetty Park are closed to allow crews from Manson Construction to mobilize heavy equipment. The impact on public access will intensify later in the week when the South Jetty and its adjacent beaches are fully closed to the public from Friday, March 14, through Monday, March 23. While these initial closures are necessary for staging, periodic restrictions to Seaway Drive and the jetty are expected to continue until the project reaches its estimated completion in mid-May.

The launch of this federal initiative follows a high-stakes period for the Fort Pierce shoreline. Just weeks ago, the city was under a local state of emergency as the ocean crept dangerously close to coastal homes and businesses. An emergency sand dump near Jetty Park successfully prevented high tides from breaching the dunes, a move that recently allowed local landmarks like the Island Beach Bar & Restaurant to safely reopen its popular “Dune Bar.” While that emergency sand provided immediate relief and helped the shoreline make a partial comeback, county officials have long maintained that a massive influx of sand was the only long-term solution to offset the persistent erosion caused by the Fort Pierce Inlet.

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Manson Construction plan to place approximately 400,000 cubic yards of sand along a one-mile stretch of shoreline immediately south of the inlet. Once the sand placement begins, work will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Because the construction coincides with the start of sea turtle nesting season, independent contractors will be on-site around the clock to monitor and relocate nests as needed to ensure the safety of the local wildlife.

Studies have shown that more than 60% of the area’s erosion is directly attributable to the inlet, creating, local officials argue, a federal obligation for the Corps of Engineers to maintain the beach. This project, which is approximately 78% federally funded with the remaining 22% covered by the St. Lucie County Erosion District, is a continuation of a protection effort that dates back to 1971. County leaders are currently working to negotiate an extension of the federal partnership for another 50 years to ensure the Fort Pierce shoreline remains a stable destination for residents and tourists alike.

Timeline of Fort Pierce beach renourishment project

January 1: The beach renourishment project was originally scheduled to begin but faced initial delays.

January 22: County officials announced the project would likely start in mid-February, citing weather conditions and equipment issues related to a separate project on the south side of the island.

February 4: With erosion worsening, County Commissioners approved an emergency sand dump to protect Jetty Park and two homes that were at immediate risk.

February 10: Sand dump trucks officially mobilized, leading to daytime road closures near Jetty Park. On the same day, Fort Pierce declared a state of emergency as the shoreline continued to retreat toward local residences.

February 11: The larger federal renourishment project was pushed back again to early March due to continued weather and equipment complications.

February 20: The emergency sand dump was completed at a cost of approximately $430,000 to the county.

March 5: A new timeline was established, setting the staging date for March 11.

March 11: Staging begins for the large-scale project, with an expected start date for sand placement between March 14 and March 16. Portions of the parking areas and sidewalks at Jetty Park are now closed to the public.

March 14-March 23: The South Jetty and surrounding beaches are scheduled for full closure during the early phase of construction operations.