May 2024
FACT SHEET
Palm Beach County (Mid-Town), FL BEC
Construction (C)
Congressional Districts: 20, 21, 22, 23
1. DESCRIPTION
The area of Palm Beach County, Mid-Town was authorized by Sec. 101, Rivers and Harbors Act of 1958, Public Law 85-500. The segment is located along the east coast of Florida in the central portion of Palm Beach County, in the Town of Palm Beach. The Mid-Town segment starts about 3 miles south of Lake Worth Inlet at Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) R-monument R-91 and extends about 3.4 miles south along the oceanfront to R-106.5.
2. FUNDING
| Estimated Total Cost |
$323,300,000 |
| Estimated Federal Cost |
$82,100,000 |
a. Regular Civil Works Funds:
| Allocation thru FY23 |
$0 |
| Allocation for FY24 |
$50,000 |
| President's Budget FY25 |
$0 |
b. P.L. 115-123: Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018, Supplemental:
| Construction |
|
| Current Working Estimate |
$22,900,000 |
| Allocation thru FY23 |
$11,520,000 |
| Allocation for FY24 |
$0 |
| Resiliency |
| Allocation thru FY23 |
$200,000 |
c. P.L. 117-43: Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act:
| Total Work Plan |
$18,300,000 |
| Allocation for FY23 |
$939,000 |
| Allocation for FY24 |
$0 |
3. SPONSOR
Town of Palm Beach
Public Works Department
951 Old Okeechobee Road
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
4. STATUS
The Mid-Town segment underwent initial construction as part of the 50-year period of federal participation in 2020. Following the award of a construction contract in January 2020, approximately 777,000 cubic yards of sand was placed along 2.8 miles of beach between FDEP monuments R-89 and R-102. Construction began in March 2020 and was completed in May 2020. The project’s first renourishment is anticipated in 2028.
The Town of Palm Beach reported impacts to the Mid-Town segment in December 2022 following Hurricane Nicole’s landfall in November 2022. USACE, Jacksonville District prepared a project information report for the segment to determine Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) eligibility under Public Law 84-99. The project qualified for an FCCE nourishment and received appropriations under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Currently, plans and specifications are being prepared in FY24 and FY25 for a construction contract award in late FY25 and construction in early 2026. However, the Town of Palm Beach has reported significant risk to potential undermining of the seawall located along the segment and has requested USACE accelerate the FCCE design and construction. USACE is evaluating the request, but factors such as an available borrow area, environmental approvals (i.e., NEPA and State permits), and current policy as it relates perpetual beach storm damage reduction easements may affect the ability to complete the project sooner.
