The Town of Palm Beach has temporarily closed Mid-Town Beach access points at Brazilian Avenue and Chilean Avenue as a massive beach renourishment project continues along the oceanfront. The closures come as crews race to rebuild sections of coastline battered by months of rough surf, storms and relentless erosion.
The federally authorized project, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and sponsored by the Town of Palm Beach, began in mid-February and stretches from Seminole Avenue to Banyan Road.
By the time it’s complete, more than 480,000 cubic yards of sand — enough to dramatically widen portions of the beach — will have been pumped onto the shoreline through a large pipeline system before being graded and shaped by heavy equipment operating around the clock.
But Mother Nature has complicated the timeline.
Turbulent ocean conditions and rough weather throughout late winter and early spring repeatedly forced work stoppages and accelerated erosion along the project area, with Palm Beach’s municipal beach among the hardest hit.
The erosion became so severe that officials repeatedly shut down public access points near Peruvian and Chilean avenues as waves chewed away at the already fragile shoreline.
Town officials now expect the project to continue through at least May 16, with the possibility of extending through the end of May depending on weather and ocean conditions.
Construction crews are currently working south of Clarke Avenue toward Peruvian Avenue, with additional access closures expected as the operation advances toward Banyan Road.
Despite the disruptions, town officials say the project is critical to protecting one of Palm Beach’s most valuable assets from future storm damage and rising coastal threats.
Lifeguards remain stationed in the area to assist beachgoers and maintain public safety while residents and visitors navigate the temporary closures and ever-changing shoreline.
