This evening, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, sand pumping operations will cease temporarily as the Dredge Liberty Island sails to Norfolk for re-fueling. At this time, we anticipate construction to be idle for the next 2-3 days until the dredge returns to the area.
Construction has been steadily progressing south in the vicinity of the 4700 block of South Virginia Dare Trail, near Mile Post 13.5. When the dredge returns from Norfolk later this week, work should continue to progress south another two days or so, before the dredge moves to a new submerged pipeline (subline) installed in the 5700 block of South Virginia Dare Trail, near Mile Post 14.5 (by the Epstein public beach access).
Sublines are used to pump sand from an offshore dredge onto the beach, where discharge pipes are placed perpendicular to the subline to transport sand first north (in this project's case) approximately 5,000 feet, and then south approximately 5,000 feet. The Dredge Liberty Island will move to additional landing points as construction makes its way south of the Outer Banks Pier to tie into the beach already completed by the Dredge Ellis Island.
The project is expected to be complete in late August or early September.
NOTES
Due to several factors such as weather and equipment issues, to name a few, it is hard to predict where construction will be farther out than 7 days.
Parking at the Forrest Street beach access will be closed for the duration of the project. The parking lot at the Juncos Street public beach access is expected to be re-opened in mid to late June. Pedestrian access at both sites is still permitted. Lifeguard stands are in place but may be moved a few feet to accommodate construction traffic.
Progress Map
Construction Photos/Videos