Expedited Restoration of Storm-Damaged Dunes and Berms at Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Background

St. Johns County, FL manages over 35 of the County’s 42 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew impacted Ponte Vedra Beach in the northern portion of the County, bringing storm surge and high waves that eroded the beaches and sand dunes. Hurricane Irma followed in 2017, further damaging the protective dunes. In 2019, St. Johns County asked our team to work with them to prepare and implement a plan to restore the storm-damaged dunes and beaches to improve the level of storm protection for upland infrastructure, restore the dunes and local habitat, and enhance the recreational value of the 8.9-mile shoreline of Ponte Vedra Beach. Following additional storm impacts from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, the initial beach restoration of Ponte Vedra Beach was constructed in the Spring of 2024.

Approach

Our team performed the feasibility analyses, completed the project coastal and geotechnical design, and acquired the environmental permits for the project, including the establishment of the Erosion Control Line. As the Engineer-of-Record, we prepared the technical specifications, construction drawings, and cost analysis; provided bidding and contract management services; and performed construction observation, permit compliance, and post-construction reporting services.

The project placed over 2M cubic yards of sand along the 8.9-mile length of Ponte Vedra Beach. Sand was dredged from an offshore borrow area located roughly four miles offshore in federal waters. We designed and managed the borrow area development and coordinated with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to collect geotechnical data, complete an Environmental Assessment, and acquire a BOEM lease for the County for the use of the beach-compatible sand.

Results

The County selected Weeks Marine, Inc. to complete the construction, which took place from late-March through mid-June 2024 at a cost of $36M, comfortably under the County’s available budget. With two hopper dredges brought in by Weeks Marine and our team’s project design and on-site observation of daily progress, dredging for the project was completed in less than 80 days, significantly reducing the impact of the work on the public’s use and the environmental resources in the area. The project has restored storm protection levels along the beach to pre-Hurricane Matthew levels and has created tens of acres along the shoreline for additional environmental habitat and recreational beach space.