This summer, a critical beach nourishment project will occur in Kill Devil Hills (KDH). In KDH, the project will only be taking place from the north town line south to Prospect Avenue – which is approximately 2.6 miles of our Town. The project is anticipated to last approximately 25-35 days. The project is proposed to start around First Street and move south then turn back north. This is subject to change by the contractor at any time.
Weeks Marine, the contractor for the project, will begin to stage equipment at the Fifth Street Beach Access after Memorial Day. As a result, that Beach Access will be closed on Tuesday, May 31st; however, there may be limited pedestrian access through that access to the beach.
Through the week of May 31st to June 5th, there will be limited shore work in that same area, as pipes are being brought from the ocean to the shore. There will be two sub-lines (shore perpendicular pipes) used to construct the KDH portion of the project. These pipes are used to pump sand from the dredge to the beach. One will be located at the southern portion of the project and the other in the northern portion. The exact locations will be updated as the pipes are moved into place.
Beginning Monday, June 6th, the Fifth Street Beach Access will be closed as the contractor will begin moving large equipment and construction materials onto the beach. From this date, parking at the Fifth Street Beach Access will remain closed during the construction of the southern portion of the project. There will be limited pedestrian access depending on when equipment is being mobilized in the access. At this time, there is no set date of the access re-opening.
How does this affect my beach day? You will still be able to enjoy days at the beach even with the project taking place. Throughout the construction process, the contractor will strive to maintain access to the beach; however, there may be areas that will be temporarily closed for safety reasons. You will still be able to get to the beach and set-up to the north or south of the active project zone, but this zone will be closed to the public for safety reasons.
The Town will provide more updated information on construction areas and closures as it become available.
A project map will also be updated daily as construction begins: Town of KDH Beach Nourishment Map
What is beach nourishment? Beach nourishment is the process of pumping sand onto the shoreline in order to address the critical issue of erosion by widening the existing beach. The widened shoreline that is created provides an increased line of defense against coastal storms whose strong waves and high winds all contribute to beach erosion, which can have devastating effects on coastal communities.
Why is it important? To protect our infrastructure: roads, utilities, and homes. In addition to protection, beach nourishment also provides a wider recreational beach for residents, visitors, and property owners to enjoy, as well as additional habitat for various species of wildlife. The Outer Banks coastline is beautiful, but it is also incredibly fragile.
Why does this project occur in the summer? Primarily, safety reasons – the storms that frequently affect the area in late fall, winter and early spring can cause dangerous conditions for the crews who are tasked with performing dredging operations along the Outer Banks coastline.
Looking for answers to general project questions, funding and maintenance, the construction process, and more visit the FAQs page on the More Beach To Love website.