Buxton Beach Nourishment Update; Dredges Temporarily Moved to Norfolk
Over the weekend, the cutterhead dredge C.R. McCaskill broke a swing arm while riding out the high waves. Due to the approaching storm, the McCaskill is now in Norfolk and repairs will be completed there.
The hopper dredge R.N. Weeks has pumped approximately 23,000 cubic yards of sand at the northern landing point since it arrived last week. This evening, the R.N. Weeks will also seek shelter in Norfolk until the rough sea conditions have passed.
The project was originally scheduled to be finished by August 15 and that deadline has been moved to December 15, which coincides with the end date of the contract.
Prior to the R.N. Weeks arrival, and as of September 1, the contractor had pumped 36% of the project volume, which is the target measurement for the project’s completion. In terms of area covered, roughly 20% of the 2.94 mile stretch of beach had been completed as of Sept 1. There was no dredging in September due to four named storms that affected the North Carolina coastline.
For updates on the project which includes a project map of upcoming dredging areas, visit https://www.darenc.com/departments/public-relations/beach-nourishment/.
