The Brief
- Machinery is in place on Lido Beach to build 1.2 miles of protective sand dunes starting on or shortly after Monday, Sept. 21.
- Sourced from a recent New Pass maintenance dredge, 3,000 cubic yards of sand will form 2-foot dunes to guard coastal roads and infrastructure against storm surge.
- Public access to Lido Beach will remain open throughout the expected 60-day construction project.
SARASOTA, Fla – Heavy machinery is in place at Lido Beach to build 1.2 miles of protective sand dunes to shield coastal roads and property from severe storm surge.
Lido Beach dune project
The backstory:
Crews are preparing to place roughly 3,000 cubic yards of sand along Lido Beach to create a 1.2-mile stretch of dunes standing about 2 feet high. The sand was sourced locally from a recent New Pass maintenance dredge, which also provided material for the Lido Beach Renourishment Project.
Equipment mobilization has already started, with dune construction slated to start on or shortly after Monday, Sept. 21. Once built, workers will plant Florida-friendly vegetation to anchor the sand in place and slow down coastal erosion.
Lido Beach safety steps
Why you should care:
The dunes act as natural flood barriers to protect coastal infrastructure, including Benjamin Franklin Drive, by absorbing wave energy and containing windblown sand during severe weather. They also provide vital nesting areas and shelter for local coastal wildlife.…