Work begins to repair eroded beach

Construction crews started prep work to repair the dunes and beach erosion from Hurricane Matthew.

Action News Jax learned that the actual rebuilding will start in about a week.

"I think it's a necessary evil at this point," Jacksonville resident Luke Bowanko said.

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After Hurricane Matthew came through the area, dunes were washed away and beaches were eroded and now nearly six months later, construction is about to start.

"As long as it helps with storm surge and reduces that," resident Darius Lumpkins said

Portions of Jacksonville Beach will be sectioned off each week starting April 8 when dredging operations begin to pump more sand onto the beach.

And the parking lot on 16th Avenue will stay closed to store equipment.

"If it changes the way people can get to the beach, I'm sure it will get some people upset," Sharon Reel said.

And with sea turtle season starting May 1, there will be nest monitoring and the beaches sea turtle patrol plans to be out every morning looking for nests to relocate.

"I think it's a toss-up with saving the turtles and their way of life and the visitors they need the money from," Reel said.

About six months ago, Action News Jax told you about a renourishment project underway at the beach.

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"I mean you look around and where the beach is now to before, we have more beach to work with and it will be a good thing for the community," Bowanko said.

The beach was being rebuilt, like most are every five or six years, when Hurricane Matthew hit. So now crews will rebuild the dunes too.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, people who live near the beach will be hearing noise from the construction and backup alarms.

Work is expected to last up to eight weeks, but they’re working to make sure no beach events are affected.

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