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Bathtub Beach closed until May for restoration

Bathtub Beach closed until May for restoration
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It may not be the best timing coming in the middle of tourist season, but a Treasure Coast gem is getting a sorely needed makeover.

Bathtub Beach is closed for the next three months.

“We’re going to be putting about 350-thousand cubic square yards of sand out there," said Martin County Coastal Engineer Cathy Fitzpatrick.  She says erosion has been a major problem here since 2007 so sand will be piped in from two shoals inside the St. Lucie Inlet.

“This project will have kind of a double benefit.  It will not only restore the beach but it will also grab sand out of the inlet and give us another year before we have to do a maintenance project there," said Fitzpatrick.

The project will not just bring the beach back to life, but give visitors a place to park.  When this project is done, they’ll be 100 parking spaces available.

The 5-million dollar plus price tag is being split three ways.  The state is paying 40-percent.  The county, and residents of Sailfish Point will pay 30-percent each.

Judy Fogel, a 45 year visitor, and now Martin County resident, supports the project. 

“If they’re spending money from our taxes for things like Bathtub, as a citizen I’m more than glad to help pay for it," said Fogel.

The goal is to have the project completed by May, in time for turtle nesting season.