Captiva Beach Renourishment Project to begin Sept. 20
Turner Beach Parking Lot to close Friday
The Captiva Beach Renourishment Project is scheduled to begin Saturday, Sept. 20, starting at Turner Beach, according to a report from the Captiva Erosion Prevention District. The project will restore and protect the shoreline, enhancing resilience against erosion, storm surge and sea level rise, while preserving the beach for residents, visitors, wildlife, and the local economy.
To facilitate this work, the Turner Beach Parking Lot will serve as a staging area and will be closed from Sept. 5 through Oct. 12. Turner Beach is located just past the Blind Pass Bridge on the south end of Captiva Island.
The contractor for the project, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, will be advancing northward along the island at an estimated pace of 400-500 linear feet per day, according to the CEPD. The work will be conducted continuously, 24 hours a day over an expected 56-day period, to place approximately 1.2 million cubic yards of sand along Captiva’s beaches.
A new, high-capacity dredge vessel, the Amelia Island, is currently undergoing sea trials in Louisiana and will be deployed for this effort. It represents the most advanced dredging technology available and is the highest capacity dredge ever used on Captiva.
During the second phase of the project, the Alison Hagerup Beach parking lot will also be utilized as a staging area and temporarily closed to the public. The timing of this closure will depend on progress made in the southern section of the island. We will share more details once those dates are confirmed.
Please note:
• Beach access will be restricted in active construction zones.
• The rest of the beach will remain open to the public.
• Nighttime operations may generate light and noise in the vicinity.
• Environmental protections are in place, including on-site wildlife and turbidity monitors to ensure that marine life and water quality are safeguarded.
The CEPD notes that regular updates will be shared as the work progresses.
For more information, please contact the Captiva Erosion Prevention District at (239) 472-2472 or visit www.mycepd.com.