MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — The John’s Pass sand dredge project in Madeira Beach wrapped up nearly two months ago, but the city is still worried some old bridge debris is causing sand to build up again.
The city is working with the Florida Department of Transportation to get that debris removed.
FDOT had to demolish the old John’s Pass bridge in order to build a new drawbridge.
City photos show that concrete rubble sticking out of the water during low tide.
Madeira Beach Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks says officials believe that bridge debris is causing sand to build up.
“The way the debris is laying, it’s working almost as a seawall,” she said. “So when the sand gets into the pass on this side, it can’t leave because the seawall is there holding the sand in.”
The city just spent $1.5 million in state grant money, removing more than 13,000 cubic yards of sand from John’s Pass.
This photo from the City of Madeira Beach was taken from the dredge barge, where you can see debris poking out of the water.
The nearly four-month project wrapped up at the end of May.
Brooks says the city was hoping FDOT would be out right away to remove the bridge debris.
She says it won’t take long for sand to start accumulating again and talked about why any delay is concerning.
“That debris would be covered, and they would not be able to see it. And if they can’t see it, they can’t remove it,” Brooks said.
That is also a concern for some John’s Pass business owners.
Stephanie Berry is the owner of Woody’s Watersports and is also a John’s Pass Merchant Association board member.
Berry said it was nearly a six-year process to get the sand dredged, and they want to keep the results for as long as possible.
“It’s like all the work would be undone,” she said. “We just had to go through all these different regulations through the state, through the county, through Army Corps. I mean, everyone had to be involved. This is a group effort all together, and this one last piece just has to happen to make sure that that water flow moves in and out appropriately.”
FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson says their contractor will begin removing that debris next week — a relief for Berry.
“Yeah, that will be great. I mean, that way the whole project can be done. It’s complete,” Berry said.
Brooks was thrilled to see FDOT’s contractors scoping out the area.
“I’m grateful that FDOT is coming out and that they’re going to do it. I think that’s fantastic,” Brooks said.
FDOT says it expects to complete the debris removal project early next month.
The new John’s Pass drawbridge opened more than a dozen years ago.