ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — If you’re planning to head to Jetty Park this week, you may want to rethink your route — or your timing.
Officials say changes to a major beach renourishment project in Fort Pierce mean new closures will start, differently than originally expected, limiting access to parts of South Hutchinson Island.
Beginning Saturday, March 21, the South Jetty walkway and the beach just south of it will be closed to the public through March 27. A few days later, on Monday, March 23, closures will expand to include parts of Seaway Drive and some parking areas inside Jetty Park.
{ }New closures at Fort Pierce Jetty Park start this weekend for erosion project. (WPEC){ }
The updated schedule comes as crews prepare to begin a large-scale effort to rebuild the shoreline. Starting Tuesday, workers are expected to pump roughly 400,000 cubic yards of sand onto a one-mile stretch of beach south of the Fort Pierce Inlet.
Once construction begins, it won’t slow down much. Crews are expected to work around the clock with the project running through mid-May.
Officials say the goal is to stay ahead of ongoing erosion, which has continued to eat away at parts of the coastline, and to help protect nearby homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The project will also include environmental monitoring, with crews keeping an eye on sea turtle nesting and relocating nests if needed.
Severe beach erosion on Hutchinson Island is inching dangerously close to homes in Fort Pierce. City and county leaders are trucking in thousands of tons of emergency sand as homeowners worry about flooding and structural damage. (WPEC)
While the long-term goal is to strengthen the shoreline, the short-term impact could be frustrating for beachgoers. Officials say closures and detours may shift as work progresses, and they’re encouraging visitors to check for updates before heading out.
In the meantime, access to some of Fort Pierce’s most popular beach spots will be limited — at least for the next several weeks.