Corps announces updated schedule for Ponce de Leon Inlet maintenance

Published Dec. 20, 2018

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces 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. 

Starting Jan. 2, Cavache will return to 24-hour operations daily until project completion. 

Inclement weather has delayed operations since the project started in August.  Working 24 hours daily is required to complete the project on schedule, Project Manager Beau Corbett said. 

“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. 

The federal channel maintenance contract is dredging sand that was deposited in the waterways from the passage of hurricanes’ Matthew and Irma, and two nor’easters.  Dredging keeps the channels open for safe navigation.  Cavache is piping the excavated material to a nearshore area about 1.6 miles south of the inlet. The excavated material is piped under the waterway and then transferred through an existing pipeline sleeve. The pipe emerges onto the New Smyrna Beach where it places material in the nearshore.

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Contact
Susan Jackson
904-232-1630
susan.j.jackson@usace.army.mil

Release no. 18-087