Buxton Beach sand pumping to start Monday, while Avon Beach nourishment will pause until early July

Dare County provided the following updates on the 2022 Avon and Buxton beach nourishment projects as of Friday, June 24. Details on the progress of both projects are below.

Avon Beach Nourishment:

During the first six days of the Avon beach nourishment project, the contractor, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., has made steady progress. As of this afternoon (Friday, June 24, 2022), the dredge Ellis Island has delivered 25 loads of sand onto the beach and placed approximately 250,000 cubic yards of sand between Greenwood Place and ORV Ramp 38.

This volume is equivalent to approximately 25 percent of the total volume for the Avon beach nourishment project. The 3,200-foot section of beach south of Greenwood Place has been nourished. The southern shore pipes will be removed from the beach, and the newly finished section of beach will be opened for public use throughout this weekend.

Over the next two days, pumping will proceed north from the landing point near Greenwood Place to begin nourishing the shoreline toward the Avon Pier.

Avon beach nourishment will be paused beginning on Monday, June 27, 2022, until the dredge Liberty Island arrives in Dare County in early July.

Buxton Beach Nourishment:

Starting on Monday, June 27, 2022, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. plans to use the Ellis Island to start pumping in Buxton. A discharge point was installed on the beach near the south end of Tower Circle on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Nourishment will commence from that point, and it will continue moving south to the end of the project area, which is located near the original location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

The second dredge, Liberty Island, is currently expected to arrive in Dare County in early July (after the Independence Day holiday). Once the Liberty Island arrives, it will pick up the Avon beach nourishment project while the Ellis Island continues working to perform beach nourishment in Buxton.

ORV Ramp 38 Reminder: 

Throughout this summer, Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s off-road vehicle (ORV) Ramp 38 will remain open, but visitors with beach driving permits can expect some intermittent, short-term delays entering and exiting the ramp as beach nourishment equipment is moved safely to and from the beach.

Although the ramp will remain open, the parking lot at ORV Ramp 38 will be closed this summer. Visitors who planned to park in the parking lot at ORV Ramp 38 should instead consider using nearby parking lots at Haulover Sound Access and Kite Point Sound Access.

Visit www.MoreBeachToLove.com for the latest information about all 2022 beach nourishment projects taking place in Dare County, including projected timelines and answers to the most frequently asked questions.