St. Johns County Commissioners unanimously agreed to spend nearly $40 million on the project.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Mickler’s Landing will be closed soon while crews work on a beach restoration project.
The project, also known as the “Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project”, will include: fixing storm-damaged dunes and berms, dredging, sand placement and storm protection to upland infrastructure.
County officials said homes and roadways are also at risk of collapsing or flooding. The project should start soon after spring break and will last throughout most of the summer.
County commissioners unanimously voted to spend nearly $38.6 million on restoring the beaches.
The project will stretch from the St. Johns-Duval County line to the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserves. According to St. Johns County, the distance is about nine miles of coastline.
County officials said the project will directly impact Mickler’s Landing Beach Front Park.
The park and beach will be temporarily closed mid-to-late March. Crews are expected to begin sand placement sometime in April. Dredging and beach operations will be conducted 24/7. Afterward, crews will pack up leave by mid-to-late August.
First Coast News talked to local beachgoers who expressed their dissatisfaction.
“They always wait and do it when people are coming to the beach and not during the winter months when it’s cold and nobody is coming here. Doesn’t make sense,” David Hale said.
“I think they can do it at another time. Like November through March. Instead of the whole summer months when kids are out of school.” Mary-Beth Younge added.
First Coast News contacted the county regarding beachgoers’ complaints.
According to the coastal management, working during the winter months means crews would be active during Whale season and Nor’easter season. They believe it would be better to restore the beach while the weather is calm during the summer months.
