Vanderbilt Beach renourishment project nearing completion

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

Collier County’s ongoing beach renourishment project along Vanderbilt Beach and Pelican Bay is nearing completion, with county officials saying work is expected to wrap up by the end of January.

The project began in late October after the end of sea turtle nesting season and focuses on restoring sand lost over time due to erosion and major storms. So far, crews have placed about 168,000 tons of sand along the shoreline, with another 48,000 tons expected to complete the work.

According to the county, renourishment is already complete along Vanderbilt Beach from Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park to Vanderbilt Beach Road. Work is also finished on Pelican Bay Beach from the north pavilion to the Brighton Condominium.

As a result, the beach turnaround at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road remains closed to vehicles for the duration of the project. Pedestrian access to the beach is still available, and all other lanes along Vanderbilt Beach Road and Gulf Shore Drive remain open.

Beachgoers may notice fenced-off sections and heavy equipment operating near the shoreline. The county said those areas are in place for public safety, with trained spotters monitoring the work zones to ensure people do not wander too close.

Sand for the project is being trucked in from Immokalee and spread across nearly three miles of shoreline from Vanderbilt Beach into Pelican Bay. The work is taking place six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

County commissioners approved about $7.5 million for the project. The Vanderbilt Beach portion is funded through tourist development tax dollars, while the Pelican Bay Services Division is covering costs for the Pelican Bay section.

Officials say the goal is to rebuild the shoreline as quickly as possible to limit impacts to residents and visitors while restoring a wider beach ahead of peak season.

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