City of Gulf Shores, AL, Beach Restoration Project
Details:
Location: Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, AL
Client: The City of Gulf Shores, AL
Tasks: Engineer of Record for Beach Restoration; permitting, local sponsor technical representative, coastal engineering design, construction contract management and observation, post-construction monitoring.
Description:
This project, funded by the City, was constructed in 2000-2001and involved the placement of 1.65 million cubic yards of sand along the eastern 3.1 miles of Gulf Shores, AL. Beach nourishment was followed with dune vegetation and sand fencing placement. The project was fast-tracked over an 18-month period. Olsen Associates, Inc., prepared the original feasibility study, developed the sand borrow source, designed the project, managed all surveys and Mean High Tide Line establishment, acquired ADEM and Department of the Army permits, prepared all bid and construction documents, and provided construction observation. Additionally, OAI assisted local interests with the drafting of several key pieces of State legislation that were enacted in order to facilitate this project, which was the first engineered beach nourishment project in the State of Alabama. Construction costs for the project totaled $4.1M.
Following construction, OAI managed the Beach Maintenance and Monitoring Plan for the engineered beach project, handling FEMA claims for damages to the engineered beaches from Tropical Storm Isidore, and Hurricane Ivan. The beach restoration project was merged into the larger Orange Beach/Gulf State Park/Gulf Shores Beach Restoration Project for post-Ivan renourishment in 2005-2006. OAI continues to manage the project for the City of Gulf Shores as part of the larger regional project.
