Calming coastal erosion

A crane hoists a wave attenuation device — fiber reinforced concrete trademarked as WAD — alongside the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The DOT’s District 1 office held a media event June 7 to show off the structures, engineered to dissipate wave energy and “provide an environmentally productive solution to reduce, eliminate and reverse coastal erosion.” The living shore project, which is expected to enhance marine habitat at the location, is due to be completed by summer’s end.

A barge in Tampa Bay holds equipment and WADS, fiber reinforced concrete structures that the DOT is placing near the bridge to guard against coastal erosion. One WAD weighs 8,500 pounds, another weighs 13,000 pounds. The structures will be placed 50-200 feet offshore for about 1,512 linear feet south of a new rest area and northwest of the access channel by the fishing pier. Another array will run parallel 50-200 feet offshore for about 1,183 linear feet on the southeast side of the access channel. Islander Photos: Courtesy DOT