Pass-a-Grille full beach nourishment to resume
Pinellas County has received authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin full nourishment of Pass-a-Grille beach. Sand placement will begin as soon as the contractor completes its mobilization of equipment and installation of environmental protection devices.
About 5,000 to 10,000 cubic yards of sand was placed on the south end of Pass-a-Grille in June as part of the Grand Canal dredging project, completed on June 28. The contractor will relocate the dredge vessel to Pass-a-Grille inlet and will pipe an additional 140,000 cubic yards of sand to the remainder of the beach, from 1st Avenue to 22nd Avenue.
Pass-a-Grille is on a 10-year nourishment cycle and was due for sand this year. Nourishment projects like this replace sand lost to storms and normal erosion. They restore white sandy beaches that boost the County’s $10 billion annual tourism industry and provide a buffer against storm surge. Because federal nourishment projects along the Pinellas County coast are stalled, the County is funding this project through hotel bed tax dollars and state grant funding.
Once construction is fully underway, dredging will take place 24/7 with some light and noise impacts at night. This is necessary to complete the project as quickly as possible. No businesses will have to close. The first phase of the project will take place south of Paradise Grille and should be completed by mid-September. The second phase will occur north of the concession building and will be completed by mid-November, weather-permitting.
Residents and visitors should stay away from the construction zone, and boaters should avoid the dredge vessel and piping. Updates about beach access points can be found on our interactive project map.
NOTE TO MEDIA: For safety reasons, access is not permitted to the contractor’s construction zone. Pinellas County is tentatively planning a media availability with staff on July 18 and will send out a package of b-roll and interviews.