Dollman Beach in St. Lucie County faces temporary closures until June for renourishment project

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — A heads up for beachgoers in St. Lucie County.

Dollman Beach, located at 9200 South Ocean Drive, on South Hutchinson Island, will be affected by temporary beach closures for the next five months amid a renourishment project.

WATCH BELOW: St. Lucie County beach will have temporary closures until June

County officials said last month that contractors have begun staging heavy equipment, prompting intermittent closures that began Monday.

Visitors to the park should be aware that construction crews are mobilizing equipment in the northern overflow parking area for the federal beach nourishment project.

Dredging activities are scheduled to start Thursday, Jan. 22, with an anticipated project completion date of Tuesday, June 30.

Officials said the South St. Lucie County Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) project protects about 3.3 miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline on South Hutchinson Island.

"The recommended plan includes beach and dune nourishment from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Range Monument R-98 in St. Lucie County to the Martin County line. After initial construction, the periodic renourishment interval is 18 years, equaling two periodic nourishment events over the 50 years of the federal participation plan," according to the county.

County spokesman Erick Gill told WPTV that sand for the project will be dredged about 3.5 miles offshore at a cost of nearly $15 million.

"Hurricanes Nicole and Irma, we saw a significant impact on our beaches even though we didn't get a direct hit," Gill said. "One-hundred percent of the funding for this project is coming from the Army Corps of Engineers."

Officials said sand will be pumped offshore onto the beach using barges and large metal pipes. Heavy equipment will be on the beaches during this project, helping smooth out the sand.

"There will be pipeline crossovers every few hundred feet, so those accessing open beach areas within the construction area should use caution and adhere to posted signs and fencing for safety," according to the county.

WPTV reporter Jon Shainman asked Gill what will happen when sea turtle nesting season begins in March.

"Throughout this project, we'll have biologists working with contractors to protect not just sea turtles but shore wading birds," Gill said.

Despite these closures, Gill said there is no shortage of opportunities to enjoy the sand while the project is underway.

"St. Lucie (County) has 21 miles of coastline and close to 30 different beach accesses," Gill said.

Officials said the county will update beach closures on its website.