Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi and Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters announced that a major beach nourishment project authorized earlier this year by the United States Army Corps of Engineers will commence on or about December 15th. The project will result in up to 450,000 cubic yards of new sand to be placed on the Seven Mile Island Beachfront that was damaged during Hurricane Irene in August, 2011.
The $4.59 million project was awarded to Norfolk Dredging Company. The company will be using a hydraulic dredge named the “Charleston” to conduct the major beach fill project on several sections of the Seven Mile Island beachfront in Avalon and Stone Harbor. The dredge is expected to be in place within two weeks, weather permitting. Once the beach fill operations begin, the dredge will work seven days a week, around the clock to complete the major reconstruction of the beachfront.
