In 1983, a plan was developed for the restoration of all of the beaches along Sand Key, the barrier island that stretches from Clearwater Pass to John’s Pass.  The island of Sand Key contains nine coastal municipalities from the “Sand Key” portion of the City of Clearwater south to Madeira Beach.

In 1985, a nearshore emergent breakwater was constructed at the Redington Shores Beach Access, a Pinellas County Park facility. This structure was the first of its type in Pinellas County and the state of Florida. The cost of the structure was $569,000. Sand was also placed in the area from the navigational dredging of John’s Pass.  The material was trucked to the site.

Redington Shores Breakwater.

In 1987, the jetty was reconstructed on the north side of John’s Pass in Madeira Beach. A concrete walkway was constructed along the top of the structure to provide recreational benefits. The cost of the structure was approximately $250,000.

In 1988, the beaches of Redington Shores and North Redington Beach were nourished for the first time during the Sand Key Phase I Project.  Over 300,000 cubic yards of sand was placed along 1.5 miles of shoreline at a total cost of $2.6 million.

North jetty of John’s Pass, 2002.

In 1990, Sand Key Phase II involved the placement of 1.3 million cubic yards of material along 2.6 miles at Indian Rocks Beach. This project cost $14.5 million and was completed in about 6 months.

Initial nourishment of Redington Shores in 1988.

Initial nourishment of Indian Rocks Beach in 1990.

In 1992, Sand Key Phase III nourished the community of Indian Shores with the placement of 850,000 cubic yards of beach sand. The sand was not pumped hydraulically (through a pipeline) for this project, but transported to the beach via conveyor belt system.  This segment of the project was also about 3 miles long and cost $11.7 million.

Initial nourishment of Indian Shores in 1992 with a conveyor belt system.

Initial nourishment of Indian Shores in 1992 with a conveyor belt system.

From 1998-1999 the Sand Key Phase IV project was constructed.  This project included the initial nourishment of the City of Clearwater portion of the island, known as “Sand Key” to locals, and Belleair Beach.  The previous segments (North Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach) were renourished during this phase.  The $24 million project placed 2.6 million cubic yards of sand along nearly 9 miles of shoreline.  Please read pages 11-15 of the Coastal Voice newsletter for more about the Sand Key Phase IV project.

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