Pinellas County Completes $126M Beach Renourishment Project

The project, completed in record time, adds over 2 million cubic yards of sand to beaches from Clearwater to St. Pete Beach.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Pinellas County leaders gathered on Sunset Beach on Monday to celebrate the completion of a nearly $126 million beach renourishment project finished in just four months, ahead of the spring break season. Crews placed more than two million cubic yards of sand on beaches from Clearwater to St. Pete Beach, funded primarily by the county's Tourist Development Tax and state grants.

Why it matters

The beach renourishment project provides critical storm protection for Pinellas County's coastline and tourism economy, which generates around $10 billion in annual economic impact. However, the project came with a hefty price tag after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers withdrew federal funding support due to issues with property owner easements.

The details

The project, which would typically take a year to complete, was finished in just four months with crews working 24 hours a day. Sand was dredged from portions of Egmont Shoal, Pass-a-Grille, Blind Pass and John's Pass and placed in areas from Clearwater to St. Pete Beach. In some areas, the beach extends more than 100 yards, with elevations raised significantly to provide enhanced storm protection.

  • The project was completed on February 10, 2026.
  • Crews worked for four months to finish the project, ahead of the spring break season.

The players

Pinellas County

The county government that oversaw and funded the beach renourishment project.

Dave Eggers

The Pinellas County Commission Chair.

Kelli Hammer Levy

The Pinellas County public works director.

Clyde Smith

The general manager of the Bilmar Beach Resort.

Kathleen Peters

A Pinellas County Commissioner.

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What they’re saying

“We basically brought the elevation of the beach up several feet. So, where we were standing before, this was probably at about an elevation of one foot, and now this beach is up at an elevation over five, almost five and a half, and in the dune behind me over here is upwards of eight feet. So, I mean, we brought in a lot of sand that's going to provide a lot of storm protection for this community. It's going to create a great spring break opportunity.”

— Kelli Hammer Levy, Pinellas County public works director (fox13news.com)

“I think people would look for beaches elsewhere [if the project wasn't done]. I think it was really critical for us to say, 'We're back.' Come to Treasure Island, come to Pinellas County and enjoy all that we have.”

— Clyde Smith, General manager of the Bilmar Beach Resort (fox13news.com)

“With this new administration and the new secretary of Army Corps is the first time that we actually have somebody that is working with us comprehensively and collaboratively to come up with solutions. So, I feel that this is the first time we feel like we're going to get across the finish line.”

— Kathleen Peters, Pinellas County Commissioner (fox13news.com)

What’s next

Pinellas County leaders are scheduled to meet with the Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday to continue negotiations regarding federal funding support for future beach renourishment projects.

The takeaway

The Pinellas County beach renourishment project demonstrates the ongoing challenges coastal communities face in maintaining their beaches and protecting against storms, especially as federal funding support has waned in recent years. The county's ability to complete this $126 million project through local and state funding sources highlights the importance of diversifying revenue streams to address critical infrastructure needs.