FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews began the installation of rock and sand revetment Wednesday to restore critically eroded parts of the shoreline along State Road A1A following Hurricane Ian’s destructive landfall in Florida, according to a press release.
FDOT crews are working on the shoreline between South 9th Street and South 23rd Street in Flagler Beach as part of the emergency recovery effort after Tropical Storm Ian ravaged the state’s Atlantic coast, according to the press release.
“FDOT is a great partner and works well with us,” said Flagler County Engineer Faith Alkhatib. “They mobilized very quickly to help our community with this temporary emergency measure to protect State Road A1A while we are working together on permanent solutions.”
Rock revetment absorbs energy from incoming waves and prevents damage from coastal erosion through the layering of stone, sand and geo-textiles on banks and shorelines that create a barrier between the ocean and the shore.
FDOT crews will use coquina rock in the affected areas to return the beach’s shoreline to its pre-storm conditions, according to the press release.
The crews will work during the day, and the project is estimated to take about two weeks to complete barring inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, according to the press release.
Pedestrians and motorists are asked to use caution and obey traffic signs directing them through the work area as the crew will be transporting rock across State Road A1A, according to the press release.
“We know it is inconvenient, but please be patient while FDOT is out there working,” Alkhatib said. “It is important for the recovery of our entire community.”
Tropical Storm Ian tore through Flagler County on Sept. 29, devastating neighborhoods with flooding from heavy rains and storm surge, and high winds that ripped roofs from homes and knocked down trees and powerlines.
Flagler Beach faced some of the harshest conditions of the storm as it tore off the front end of the historic fishing pier and dealt with dramatic dune loss and critical erosion on its shore, raising concerns for further flooding from high tides and the destruction of State Road A1A.
The cost of the installation of rock and sand revetment was not specified in the press release.
FDOT’s project does not include plans for improvements to beach walkovers, according to the press release. However, crews will avoid disrupting existing walkovers as well as wildlife such as sea turtles that live in the dune ecosystem.
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