Work on the 2022 Outer Banks beach nourishment projects continues to proceed, with two dredges now working on the Hatteras Island projects, Nags Head’s projected start date has shifted a few days, and sand pumping is getting close to the Kill Devil Hills/Kitty Hawk border.
Avon/Buxton
On Friday, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. announced that the dredge Liberty Island had arrived in Dare County and began pumping sand just north of Avon Pier.
Over the weekend, crews would be heading south for 800 feet through Avon Pier and then reposition the pipe in order to pump sand toward the northern project boundary near Due East Road.
Due to predicted high sea conditions this weekend, dredging operations may be paused for extended periods to ensure the crew’s safety.
With the flexibility of having both the Ellis Island and the Liberty Island on site in Dare County, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. may switch dredge assignments between Buxton and Avon to achieve optimal production for each project.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s off-road vehicle Ramp 38 will remains 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 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.
South Nags Head
The start of the Nags Head project, originally planned for July 13, may be delayed a few days due to weather. Great Lakes Dock and Dredge is also the contractor for the project from 8031 South Old Oregon Inlet Road at the Comfort Inn South near Mile Post 16, south through 10435 South Old Oregon Inlet Road at the Nags Head/Cape Hatteras National Seashore line.
Oceanfront properties and public beach accesses along South Virginia Dare Trail will NOT be impacted.
Kill Devil Hills/Kitty Hawk
Work is continuing to proceed north between Sothel and Wilkinson streets, and is expected to reach the KDH/Kitty Hawk town line as early as next weekend.
Beach nourishment staging is currently underway in Kitty Hawk, with construction estimated to begin in the second half of this month.
For more updates on Outer Banks beach nourishment projects, visit MoreBeachToLove.com.
