ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – Work for a beach renourishment project that is underway in Atlantic Beach will take a slight pause for the Independence holiday.
It’s part of a $32 million federally funded beach renourishment project to build up and strengthen beaches in Duval County.
The Army Corps of Engineers will store heavy dredging equipment in Atlantic Beach between 17th and 18th streets for the Fourth of July.
RELATED: Renourishment project to begin moving north as work continues in Duval County beaches
The crews will move the equipment and resume work on the project on July 5.
A long pipe can be seen just past the 18th and Beach Avenue access point in Atlantic Beach.
“Duval County Shore Protection project is actually one of the oldest shore protection projects that the Jacksonville district has here in Florida,” David Ruderman of the Army Corps of Engineers said.
Ruderman said they have just wrapped up week 10 in Neptune Beach and the contractors will take the Fourth of July off.
Officials posted signage to keep visitors away from 17th Street and 18th Street because it will be the hub for the equipment.
“That is about a 1,000 or 1,100 ft. stretch of beach that is blocked off. The access points are still open at 15th Street, 18th Street and 19th Street so if you want to get to the beach, I would suggest going either north or south,” Ruderman said.
It leaves plenty of beach for everyone, even for those coming in from out of town.
Visitors offered advice for people looking for parking at the beach.
“Probably the best thing you can do is get here early,” Jordan Brown said.
The Army Corps of Engineers said they expect the entire Duval County renourishment project to be completed by the end of August or September.
Click here for the latest updates on the project.