Crews in Martin County are working to complete a $15 million beach restoration project on Hutchinson Island, aiming to rebuild parts of Jensen Beach damaged by erosion. Construction signs have been posted at area beaches in Stuart to inform beachgoers about the project. Nadine Salamone, a local resident, shared her thoughts on the initiative. “I think it’s going to be beneficial to the beach and to us. I feel like it will give more opportunities for people to actually take their beach walks and relax on the beach and maybe have more people come to this beach and I feel like it will be beneficial to the environment as well,” Salamone said. The project involves placing approximately 360,000 cubic yards of sand along four miles of beach, stretching from the St. Lucie-Martin County line down to Stuart Beach. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News”It’s actually an Army Corps of Engineers project that’s led by the Army Corps, and we’re the local non-federal sponsor for this project,” said Jessica Garland, coastal program manager for Martin County. Garland explained that the beach has not been restored in eight years and has lost a significant amount of sand during that time. The restoration work is designed to protect the shoreline, wildlife, and nearby infrastructure from worsening erosion. “This is important because the beach is the first active protection against all our infrastructure, the road, the utilities, and then the homes,” Garland said. She also noted that beach monitors are working to protect sea turtle nests during the project. “We’ve been relocating the sea turtles from the project area. We started in February and will continue until all equipment is off the beach,” Garland said. The project, which began dredging in mid-April, is expected to be completed by the end of next week, though an extension may be granted. Officials are scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. —

Crews in Martin County are working to complete a $15 million beach restoration project on Hutchinson Island, aiming to rebuild parts of Jensen Beach damaged by erosion.

Construction signs have been posted at area beaches in Stuart to inform beachgoers about the project.

Nadine Salamone, a local resident, shared her thoughts on the initiative.

“I think it’s going to be beneficial to the beach and to us. I feel like it will give more opportunities for people to actually take their beach walks and relax on the beach and maybe have more people come to this beach and I feel like it will be beneficial to the environment as well,” Salamone said.

The project involves placing approximately 360,000 cubic yards of sand along four miles of beach, stretching from the St. Lucie-Martin County line down to Stuart Beach.

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

“It’s actually an Army Corps of Engineers project that’s led by the Army Corps, and we’re the local non-federal sponsor for this project,” said Jessica Garland, coastal program manager for Martin County.

Garland explained that the beach has not been restored in eight years and has lost a significant amount of sand during that time. The restoration work is designed to protect the shoreline, wildlife, and nearby infrastructure from worsening erosion.

“This is important because the beach is the first active protection against all our infrastructure, the road, the utilities, and then the homes,” Garland said.

She also noted that beach monitors are working to protect sea turtle nests during the project.

“We’ve been relocating the sea turtles from the project area. We started in February and will continue until all equipment is off the beach,” Garland said.

The project, which began dredging in mid-April, is expected to be completed by the end of next week, though an extension may be granted.

Officials are scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday.

Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25