St. Johns County has temporarily closed South Ponte Vedra Park, 2993 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd., and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) south parking lot, 2200 Ponte Vedra Blvd., for public safety as crews begin work on the next phase of the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project.
The South Ponte Vedra Park closure is anticipated to last about two weeks, weather permitting. The GTM south parking lot closure is anticipated to last about a month, weather permitting. The GTM south parking lot will be used as a holding area for truck queuing to help reduce truck traffic on South Ponte Vedra Boulevard.
For this phase of the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project, St. Johns County selected construction company Phillips & Jordan Inc. as the lowest, most responsive and most responsible bidder at a not-to-exceed bid price of $7,435,168.81 with an additional $800,000 for project delivery cost. St. Johns County will receive a FEMA grant reimbursement of $6,176,376.61 and a state Department of Emergency Management grant reimbursement of $2,058,792.20 after all phases of the project are complete.
The South Ponte Vedra Beach Reach and Crescent Beach Reach portions are included in the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project due to the impacts of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.
Emergency Management Director Joseph Giammanco presented an update to the Board of County Commissioners on the status of the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project at the board’s Sept. 19 regular meeting.
St. Johns County is performing the restoration in phases to reduce public access restrictions and increase public safety, as well as the efficiency of its resources to complete this massive project.
The South Ponte Vedra Beach reach includes two smaller sections of 6,200 feet and 2,700 feet centered around the Exxon gas station public beach access and South Ponte Vedra Park. Construction access will run through both of these areas.
The Crescent Beach reach includes the shoreline from 7560 A1A S. through the Fort Matanzas Ramp and a small 2,500-foot section south of Cubbedge Road. Construction access will run through Cubbedge Road, Fort Matanzas Ramp and potentially 7740 A1A S.
For updates on the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project, go to sjcfl.us/CoastalProjects or contact the Coastal Management team at 904-209-0260 or coastalprojects@sjcfl.us.
The public can also follow St. Johns County Beach Services on Facebook or X (@SJCBeaches) or download the free Reach the Beach mobile app at m.appbuild.io/stjohnsc6.
