The purpose of the project is to halt shoreline erosion and provide protection to two public buildings and a public road that are immediately landward of the project. Hurricane and coastal storm damages along the Loíza shoreline, including erosion causing receding shorelines, threatens infrastructure such as a public road, public buildings, commercial businesses, a public school, public parkland, private homes, and recreational beach access. It also contributes to public safety hazards.
At the request of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, USACE conducted a study along a portion of the shoreline of Loíza. The shoreline located in the study area is approximately 1,050 feet in length, and it is severely eroded. Chronic erosion has already impacted and continues to threaten public infrastructure and facilities.
The Corps previously assessed the effects of the 2018 Recommended Plan in the Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment, dated April 2018. Based on changed site conditions, the Recommended Plan has been updated to develop the 2019 Preferred Alternative which consist of:
• Construction of a continuous rock revetment along approximately 1,050 feet of shoreline in front of the public road, head start public school, and community center
• Elevation of the revetment crest will be approximately +9.0-ft to +10.0-ft Puerto Rico Vertical Datum of 2002 (PRVD02)
• The remaining sidewalk may need to be demolished due to existing damages and replaced with the over-wash protection zone, which consists of high performance.