The $42.7 million Nags Head beach renourishment project is moving steadily forward thanks to good weather, and with a bit of good luck could be finished well before the end of the summer season.
According to an update from the town published Thursday, construction is continuing at the south end of town heading towards milepost 21, while work near milepost 11.5 is now expected to start Memorial Day weekend.
The Dredge Ellis Island is expected to finish pumping sand from near Limulus Street to the National Park Service border by the end of the weekend.
Once that area has been completed, the pipe running south from the Limulus submerged line that connects with the dredge will be removed and installed to run north, and operations will start moving towards Outer Banks Pier.
The second dredge on the project, the Liberty Island, is expected to begin work about May 25 from a submerged line just south of Curlew Street near milepost 11.5.
Construction will progress north to milepost 11 and the Bonnett Street public beach access first, before moving south from the submerged line towards Jennette’s Pier.
The town said that if everything stays on schedule, the project could be completed by the end of July or early August.
Parking at the Juncos Street and Forrest Street beach accesses remains closed for the duration of the project. Pedestrian access will still be permitted.
Lifeguard stands will still be in place, but may be moved a few feet to accommodate construction traffic.
