It’s been a long time coming, but the erosion control project to replace three groins in Bradenton Beach is completed.
Construction ended on the central groin Nov. 16.
Work on the three groins, located on the Gulf of Mexico between Sixth and 13th streets south, began in March 2015. Several delays plagued the project, including weather and unforeseen underwater debris, pushing the end date back to January 2016, then March, April, May, July and finally January 2017.
The most recent delay was due to damage to the center groin as a result of Hurricane Hermine.
As the hurricane passed about 250 miles west of Anna Maria Island in early September, and heavy wave action hit the shore, a section of the groin sank two inches. Repairs to the groin added $500,000 to the project budget, bringing the estimated total to $5.4 million and again delaying completion.
Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon said Nov. 17 the project had ended Nov. 16.
He also said he expected the staging area to be cleared by Nov. 20, after press time for The Islander.
Still to come, installation of signs restricting access to the three groins. The groins are not approved for use by the public.
Three groins were originally built in the 1960s to help prevent beach erosion. Years of being exposed to the elements caused the groins to decay. The groins were replaced as a part of Manatee County’s beach renourishment program.
Shearon said once staging is removed, the area near Gulf Drive will be graded for parking.
“I know some residents were inconvenienced and will be glad it’s done,” Shearon said.