The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced yesterday schedule changes to maintenance dredging of Ponce de Leon Inlet and pumping sediment to the near-shore of New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County.
The near-shore work naturally nourishes the beach via wave action, which then helps reduce risk to landside infrastructure.
The Corps’ contractor, Cavache, Inc. of Pompano Beach Florida, will not conduct operations Dec. 24-26, and Dec. 31 – Jan. 1. The team will work a day shift only, about 10-12 hours daily, Dec. 27-30, reported the Corps.
Starting Jan. 2, Cavache will return to 24-hour operations daily until project completion.
According to the Project Manager Beau Corbett, inclement weather has delayed operations since the project started in August. Working 24 hours daily is required to complete the project on schedule.
“ The operational changes support the local community as well as the contractor during the holiday period. We’ll transition back to 24-hour operations after the holidays to get the work completed by April 30 ,” Corbett said.
If the weather cooperates, the Corps anticipates the booster pump currently located “in the river” in the vicinity of Beachway Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, will be relocated to the south of the island in the vicinity of Crawford Road. It will remain at this location until the end of the project, operating 24-7.