As beach renourishment efforts carry on in North Myrtle Beach, activities will commence next week in Myrtle Beach.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has informed the City of Myrtle Beach that mobilization for the beach renourishment project within city limits will now begin next week due to an equipment delay. The contractor is currently finishing work in the final sections of North Myrtle Beach.

In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers has granted permission for the contractor, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, to expand work to include the Arcadian Shores area just north of Myrtle Beach city limits. This area was not included in the original project scope, but renourishment is needed to address erosion issues near Bear Branch and Singleton swashes, which have caused steep sand drop-offs in recent years.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock reports that the addition of the Arcadian Shores area will not significantly impact the Myrtle Beach construction timeline. The aggressive goal to complete the entire project within Myrtle Beach city limits by Memorial Day remains unchanged. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock anticipates beginning renourishment in the Arcadian Shores area, which extends from the northernmost point of Myrtle Beach city limits to just north of Apache Pier, in early March.

Although mobilization has been pushed back one week, the beach accesses at 67th Avenue North and 69th Avenue North are closed to the public. The 67th Avenue North beach access will reopen when the Myrtle Beach project is complete. The 69th Avenue North beach access is expected to be closed for approximately one week. These closures are for the contractor to move heavy equipment.

Once mobilization is complete, the contractor will begin beach renourishment near 50th Avenue North and work northward to the city’s northern boundary. After completing the north end of Myrtle Beach, the contractor will move into the Arcadian Shores area, which is expected to take about one month. When that work is finished, the contractor will return to the 50th Avenue North area and continue renourishment south to the city’s southern boundary.

What you should know:

Understanding the Importance of Beach Renourishment

• Beach renourishment mobilization is expected to begin next week after a brief equipment delay.
• The beach will remain open throughout the project, with only small sections, about 1,000 feet at a time, temporarily closed during active construction.
• The Myrtle Beach portion of the project remains on track to be completed by Memorial Day.
• The project will expand to include the Arcadian Shores area just north of Myrtle Beach city limits to address erosion near Bear Branch and Singleton swashes.
• The 67th Avenue North beach access is closed and will remain closed until the Myrtle Beach portion of the project is complete.
• The 69th Avenue North beach access is also closed, but will reopen in early February.
• Beach renourishment will begin near 50th Avenue North, move north to the city’s boundary, continue into the Arcadian Shores area, then return to Myrtle Beach and proceed south.

Quick facts:

• This $72 million project is fully funded by the federal government and covers beach renourishment from North Myrtle Beach to Pawleys Island.
• Approximately two million cubic yards of sand, equivalent to 200,000 dump truck loads, will be placed on Grand Strand beaches, resulting in wider beaches along the coast.
• Beach renourishment is necessary to address erosion caused by storms and hurricanes. This project specifically repairs damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Debby in 2024.
• The last beach renourishment project in Myrtle Beach was completed in 2018.

You can track the project in real time using the Myrtle Beach Construction Tracker here.