Buena Vista Waterways Dredging Project

Project Description

This project consists of engineering, permitting, and construction management services for dredging of the Buena Vista Waterway system access and connector channels.

Project Location

The project is generally located along the northern bank of the Peace River west of Tamiami Trail.  The prior project, cancelled while in progress in November 2024 included dredging part of the Sunrise Waterway (partially dredged), part of the George Road Waterway (not dredged) and the Gardner Drive Waterway (completed).  Public Works sees the need to at least survey the Elkcam and Beeney Waterways along with the various connector channels running parallel to and offshore after Hurrican Milton. 

Project Impacts

*  Improved and safer navigation.

*  Improved beach at the Charlotte County Beach Park

Latest Updates

Update on August 23, 2024:  Kelly Brothers, Inc., the contractor has been further delayed due to unforeseen issues on another project.  They tentatively plan to start work on or about September 3, 2024.  They will dredge the Sunrise Waterway, first.  The beach replenishment project at the Charlotte County Beach Park will use sand from this waterway.  Kelly Brothers, Inc., will then proceed over to the George Road Waterway and then to the Gardner Road Waterway.

Update on September 12, 2024:  Kelly Brothers, Inc. began dredging of the Sunrise Waterway on the afternoon of September 5 in the vicinity of Channel Marker RG "A."

Update on September 20, 2024:  Kelly Brothers, Inc. has dredged approximately 300 feet of the Sunrise Waterway.  They are presently working in the area of Channel Markers G "1" and R "2."

Update on October 3, 2024:  Kelly Brothers completed approximately 450 lineal feet prior to stopping operations for Hurricane Helene.  Due to the need to reassess the beach replenishment project at the Charlotte County Beach Park, after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Kelly Brothers is moving to dredge parts of the Gardner Drive and George Road Waterways.  They will return to the Sunrise Waterway and the beach replenishment project after completing those respective waterways.    

Update on November 1, 2024:  Kelly Brothers is currently dregding in the Gardner Drive Waterway.  The George Road Waterway will be next.  Work on the Sunrise Waterway was suspended due Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  That waterway and the beach at the Charlotte County Beach Park will be resurveyed to determine the extent of the dredging and beach replenishment projects due to possible changes resulting from the hurricanes. 

Update on December 30, 2024:

To be good stewards of County taxpayer money Charlotte County has cancelled this contract, for the time being.  The County will reassess the scope of work needed after the effects of the recent hurricanes and will rebid the project as soon as possible - the County realizes the importance of the Sunrise Waterway to the community.  

The County intends to make use of FEMA and WCIND money to the maximum extent possible to reduce the financial impact of the project cost on the Buena Vista and Edgewater North MSBUs.  However, we have been informed that the approvals required must be in place prior to performing the work to be eligible for reimbursement for the additional volume to be removed from the waterways due to the recent hurricanes - we must follow the rules of the agencies providing the funds.   

Below is a summary of what was accomplished through November 13:

•  Sunrise Waterway - prior to Hurricane Helene
  • September 6 - started dredging about 50 feet seaward of channel marker RG "A" 
  • Dredged towards shore and stopped approximately 300 feet seaward from the "point" at the Beach Park
  • September 23 - Last day of dredging due to Hurricane Helene
  • After Helene, the contractor was directed to move over to the Gardner Drive Waterway to keep the project moving
  • Length of channel dredged on the Sunrise = 450 feet long by 50 feet wide (at channel bottom)
  • Beach replenishment:  None due to unsuitable material encountered offshore
• Gardner Drive Waterway - did not start dredging until after Hurricane Milton
  • October 16 - started dredging from a point just inside the shoreline
  • Dredged seaward to a point approximately 200 feet seaward of channel markers G “5” and R “6”  
• • The channel does not need dredged beyond this point
  • November 13 – completed dredging
  • Length of channel dredged = 700 feet long by 75 feet wide (at channel bottom)  
• George Road Waterway
  • Not dredged - remainder of the project cancelled on November 13

Update on March 14, 2025:  Public Works has requested a proposal from Coastal Engineering Consultants to survey and redetermine the extent of work needed on the Sunrise Waterway and the beach replenishement after Hurricane Milton.  This will also include all items needed to get the project ready to rebid in July-August.  The 2025 annual surveys of the Elkcam, Beeney, and connector waterways, respectively (channels running parallel to the shore outside of the shoreline) will be performed under a separate project.  

Update on March 28, 2025:  Coastal Engineering Consultants has completed their latest survey of the Sunrise Waterway.  Approximately 450 cubic yards of additional shoaling has been deposited in the channel at the "point" on the west end of the Beach Park due to Hurricanes Helene and/or Milton.  Luckily, the most offshore segment of the Sunrise Waterway, that was dredged in September 2024 (before Hurricane Helene), does NOT need to be re-dredged.  Next step:  A meeting has been scheduled with Community Services to discuss their plans for the new Beach Park to determine if the dredged material that is not suitable for placing on the beach can be stockpiled for other future uses in the Beach Park (for example, as fill material).  This would achieve some cost savings vs. hauling it to the County Landfill, IF this option is possible.

Update on April 11, 2025:  At our meeting last week with Community Services we were informed that they would like to have all of the material to be dredged from the Sunrise Waterway placed in the Beach Park.  Therefore, material that is not suitable for use as beach sand shall be placed in other areas above the mean high water line.  Coastal Engineering Consultants will also prepare the detailed report required by FEMA for our damage claim due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  Note:  This will NOT delay completion of the dredging of the Sunrise Waterway.

Update on April 25, 2025:  The survey completed by Coastal Engineering Consultants has revealed that there is 1,940 cubic yards to be removed from the Sunrise Waterway.  The amount caused by Milton is 455 cubic yards.  The amount remaining due to Ian is 765 cubic yards.  Work is progressing on preparing the plans to complete this dredging project.  

LATEST SURVEY:  A copy of the survey completed in March is uploaded below under Supporting Materials.    

Budget

Schedule

Supporting Materials

• 25120-Sunrise-SD-signed-20250408.pdf