Emergency Beach Berm Project
May 31, 2023 UPDATE -
Collier County contractor, Phillips and Jordan, has completed work in the City of Naples up to 33rd Avenue South. Due to sea turtle nesting season and acquiring easements, the project will resume after sea turtle nesting ends in November.
Please click on link below to view Collier County's Press Release regarding the project and resuming construction in the County after the Memorial Day weekend.
Link to Collier County Press Release
City of Naples Routes & Schedule
The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved an Emergency Berm Project in December 2022. The project is needed to replace the dunes destroyed when Hurricane Ian struck on Sept. 28, 2022. The dunes are a first defense against wave action and storm surge for upland structures (residences as well as commercial buildings just beyond the beach). Since obtaining BCC approval, Collier County Coastal Zone Management staff have worked to get the berm designed, sand sources approved, and strategized the best and quickest way to get the project completed. Time is of the essence in getting the beach berm in place before the next Hurricane Season, which officially begins on June 1.
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The County contractor, Phillips & Jordan will begin staging for the berm project in the City of Naples on Monday, April 3, 2023. The workday will be from 7:00AM to 7:00PM, Monday through Saturday. At 7:00PM, the work will stop, and the contractor will perform equipment maintenance and fueling until 8:00PM to setup for the next day. It is important to note that the 10th Avenue South beach access and the Moorings Residents' Beach access will not be used. |
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The contractor will begin in the City of Naples at the Naples Beach Club construction site, utilizing the Naples Beach Club haul road. This access will be used to haul sand from the Naples Pier north to Doctor’s Pass. Beginning on 4/3/23 with an approximate finish date of 5/1/23. Demobilize 5/2/23 – 5/3/23
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Horizon Way Beach Access will be the second stage of the berm project with a start of 5/2/23 and an approximate finish date 5/20/23. Demobilize 5/20/23 – 5/23/23
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17th Avenue South beach access will be the third stage of the berm project, beginning on 5/25/23 with an approximate finish date 6/5/23. Demobilize 6/6/23 – 6/9/23
Note: The schedule for the berm project south of 21st Avenue South has not been determined at this time. Collier County is working with residents to obtain easements. |
*Please check back periodically as the schedules may change due to unexpected delays and/or weather.
The expected cost for construction is approximately $20 million, and the funds have been allocated from Tourist Development Tax funds with expected reimbursement for most costs from FEMA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Initially, FEMA indicated the berm needed to be completed within six months of Hurricane Ian, but county staff have been in close contact with the federal and state authorities and expect that reimbursement funds will still be available when the emergency berm is completed.
The appropriate sand needed is being sourced from three companies all with sand mining locations in Florida. Approximately 400,000 tons of sand is expected to be needed and dump trucks will use specific approved routes to haul the sand to the beaches. The project has been divided into two segments, the City of Naples beaches from the Port Royal Beach area to the Seagate area is titled Reach A and Reach B includes Barefoot Beach, Vanderbilt Beach, Pelican Bay Beach along with the beaches on Marco Island. One construction contractor will handle Reach A and another will handle Reach B.
When sea turtle nesting season begins (officially on May 1) extra precautions will be taken. Staff is working diligently to ensure everything that needs to be done will be done to keep beachgoers, crews, sea turtles and other critters safe and out of harm’s way during the project.
