INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Two county beaches will close starting this week for emergency repairs – including the addition of more than 1,000 cubic yards of sand – after erosion caused by Hurricane Dorian, county officials said.
Tracking Station Beach Park (PHOTO PROVIDED BY IRC PUBLIC WORKS)
Tracking Station Beachfront Park, 800 46th Place, closed Wednesday and will reopen Friday, officials said. Wabasso Beach Park, 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, will close Monday and reopen Oct. 2.
Contractor Guettler Brothers Construction will make the sand repairs to the upland vegetated dunes at the beaches, County Natural Resources Manager Kendra Cope said. The contractor will also place about 1,500 cubic yards of sand at and around the ramps.
“It’s a small and quick project,” Cope said. “Sand is typically built up around our structures. We want to make sure there are smooth and stable ramps so residents can access the beach.”
Cope said the repairs will help the dunes not be vulnerable to any additional storms that may occur during the rest of the hurricane season.
The beach erosion repairs were authorized and in compliance with the emergency final order commissioned by Gov. Ron DeSantis on August 30, 2019, Cope said. Beach erosion occurs when waves and currents remove sand from the beach, causing threats to properties and infrastructure, including roads, homes and businesses.