Folly Beach renourishment project underway, bringing some inconveniences for beachgoers

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD)- If you’ve been to Folly Beach this summer you may have seen large pipes and machines on the beachfront.

The renourishment project is well underway, and city council members say although it may cause inconveniences for beachgoers, it’ll be worth it in the long run.

Dredging companies are hard at work in the summer heat on Folly Beach.

“Marinex is starting up on 9th block, gator dredging is just about to finish up on second east,” City councilmember Billy Grooms said.

The project started several months ago with the goal of renourishing 5 miles of the beach, to provide more protection during what is expected to be a busy hurricane season.

“People are so grateful that we’re getting new beaches here on Folly Beach,” Grooms said.

However, with the project are some roadblocks for people coming to Folly this summer.

Different sections of the beach will be closed for construction, leading to complaints from visitors and some difficulty for the island’s hospitality industry.

“So we give them the lowdown when they were checking in, when it was all going. Now that it’s beyond us, it’s not really affecting. It was tough in the process because the timing was not always right on cue, but we tried to work with our guests the best we could,” Assistant General Manager for the Todes Hotel, Phillip Owens said.

City council members say they’re aware of the issue but the payoff will be worth it and they’re asking the public to respect the work as it’s being done.

“It’s a federal beach and it’s a federal project. The best thing to do is just stay away and watch from afar. It’s an inconvenience but the long-term effects will be great, it’ll be great for our turtles, it’ll be great for visitors, it’ll be great for locals, we’ll have our beach back,” Grooms said.

The city says if they remain on schedule they’ll finish up around mid-August.