Staff

Berens, Steve
Stormwater Engineering Manager
- (941) 882-7413
- sberens@Venicefl.gov
Kramer, Jon
City Engineer
- (941) 882-7410
- jkramer@venicefl.gov

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Beach Renourishment

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Venice Shore Protection Project 2026

Scroll down to see updates for the project!

Our Gulf beaches are some of our most valued natural assets. To help protect and preserve them, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will soon begin the Venice Shore Protection Project 2026. The project will renourish approximately 3.2 miles of critically eroded shoreline. The project area extends from south of Venice Inlet to south of the Venice Fishing Pier. Extensive environmental monitoring, including the relocation of marine turtle nests by Mote Marine Laboratory, is included in the project. The project replaces sand lost since the previous nourishment project in 2015 due to background erosion and storm impacts. The project will restore beach width, preserving sandy areas for critical habitat and public enjoyment as well as protecting upland property and infrastructure.

Project Details:

Managing Agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.
Construction Contract Cost: $27,495,000 (100% Federally funded)
Construction Start: June 2026
Construction Completion: September 2026
Contact Information: Stormwater Engineering Manager Steve Berens, PE, at 941-882-7413 or sberens@venicefl.gov.

Borrow Area Map

Beach-compatible sand for the project will be dredged from an offshore borrow area located approximately 11 nautical miles southwest of the center of the project site (off the coast of Englewood). Five existing stormwater outfalls will be extended. Venice locals may begin to see specialized heavy equipment mobilizing by late May 2026. While it is preferable to perform beach renourishment projects outside of sea turtle nesting season, federal funding constraints have forced the USACE to construct the project at this time. During construction, it is anticipated that the contractor will be temporarily closing down an active construction zone in successive 1,000-ft. to 1,500-ft. sections of beach for five to seven days at a time as the new sand is placed. Beaches outside the active construction zone will remain open to the public. Where pipeline is present along the beach, the contractor will construct sand ramps over the pipe at public beach accesses and at intervals of 300 ft. to allow beachgoers to reach the Gulf. A portion of the parking lot and beach access paths north and south of the Venice Fishing Pier will be closed for equipment staging and access throughout construction.

Download the Beach Renourishment 2026 flyer.

FAQs

What beaches will be affected?

All beaches between the Humphris Park South Jetty to South Brohard Park, including Venice Beach and Service Club Park.
What will happen to the sea turtle nests?

Sea turtle season runs from May 1 through October 31. During construction MOTE marine will be monitoring the beaches and will safely relocate any sea turtle nests in the project area.
When is the project expected to commence?

The project begins late May, and it is expected to end in September 2026.
Where is the sand coming from?

Beach-compatible sand for the project will be dredged from an offshore borrow area located approximately 11 nautical miles southwest of the center of the project site (off the coast of Englewood).
Why is this project during turtle nesting season?

While it is preferable to perform beach renourishment projects outside of sea turtle nesting season, federal funding constraints have forced the USACE to construct the project at this time.
Will the beaches close?

The beaches will remain open to the public, however, there may be access restrictions during the project in active construction areas.

More FAQs

Check here for updates!

5/5/26 - Pre-Construction Meeting

5/14/26 - Mobilization of equipment and materials to the main staging area near the Venice Fishing Pier began.

6/11/26 - The offshore pipeline, which will be used to direct the new sand onto the beach, was installed on June 11^th. Additional pipes connecting to this offshore pipeline will be added on the beach to direct the sand to the active work areas. Dredging activity is projected to start June 17-19.