Pass-A-Grille Beach nourishment project moves to next phase

Pass-A-Grille beach was devastated after Hurricane Idalia and now the county is working to replenish it.

PINELLAS COUNTY – Pinellas County is beginning the second phase of a beach re-nourishment project. Pass-A-Grille beach was devastated after Hurricane Idalia, and the county is working to replenish it.

"The beach is the heart of this community. So, without the beach, it's just not the same," said Olivia Durham who works at a shop near the project.

Pass-A-Grille Beach is still recovering from Hurricane Idalia. The storm battered and eroded the sandy shoreline.

"There was definitely a lot more beach front, a lot more space for people to spread out. Its definitely been cut short since then," said Durham.

Pinellas County has been working to re-nourish the beach since June, and just received authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move on to phase two of the project.

"It's always devastating to see a beach after a hurricane like that, and to see it come back to life and come back to what it was is exciting," said Durham.

Pinellas County is using tax-payer money and grants to pay for the remaining portion of the project.

The next phase will include dredging and piping 140,000 cubic yards of sand from 1st Avenue to 22nd Avenue.