Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon’s wish for three new groins by Christmas has fallen victim to the construction Grinch.
Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County parks and natural resources director, told the county commission that unexpected underwater structure and efforts to protect the sand dunes were causing delays and an increase in costs for the ongoing groin replacement project at Cortez Beach.
The groin replacement began in March and was estimated to wrap up in December. It is now pushed to March 2016.
Hunsicker said the county had originally budgeted the project for $5 million. And, even with the increased spending, the project is below the original budget.
The new project cost is $4,864,049.95.
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted Dec. 1 to budget an additional $451,634.95 for the project.
The groins — known locally as “Three Piers” — built in the 1960s — were a solution for beach erosion — but time and weather resulted in decay, leaving behind rusted metal and broken concrete.
The project is the final stage in Manatee County’s 2013-14 beach renourishment project of 7.7 miles of Anna Maria Island beaches.
The trio of groins are being demolished, the materials removed and new state-of-the-art erosion-control groins are being built. The new groins can control the flow of sand that drifts along the shore. They are adjustable, allowing control of the sand accumulation.
The first groin is complete, but work on the second and third groins slowed due to the unexpected work under the surface.
Hunsicker said when the reconstruction plans were created, engineers estimated finding structure 8-10 feet down.
“This isn’t the case,” Hunsicker said. “We’ve been finding pieces of debris around 15-20 feet underground.”
Hunsicker said the project will now finish mid-March 2016.
Shearon said Nov. 25 that the delays are a concern to the city. “They’re pushing back into the tourist season,” he said.
Shearon was outspoken about concerns when the project began in March. He said then he was worried the work would interfere with tourism.
The work has closed sections of sand and parking to beachgoers.
“We understand time is money,” said Hunsicker. “Time is as valuable as cost. We’re working to be done as soon as possible.”
Part of the delay also comes from working to preserve the dunes, Hunsicker said. Workers from CAYO Construction have to dig around the area and install barriers to keep the dunes from deteriorating into the work area.
The dunes run parallel to Gulf Drive and are natural barriers against potential flooding and high surf in the Gulf of Mexico.
County Commissioner John Chappie, a former Bradenton Beach mayor/commissioner, said he couldn’t stress enough how important the dunes are and the time and effort the city of Bradenton Beach already has invested in preserving them.
Shearon said, if it’s ready, the northernmost groin should be opened to the public in December.
The old center groin is still being removed.
The southern-most groin is fenced off for safety, although work has yet to begin to remove it.
