Navarre Beach Pier bid approved

Navarre Beach Pier bid approved

From staff reports
March 12, 2009

At today’s Santa Rosa County Commission meeting, commissioners voted to accept Ed Waters and Son Contracting’s bid for the construction of the new Navarre Beach Fishing Pier. Construction could begin as early as April 30 with a possible completion date as early as May 2010.

In 2004 and 2005, Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis damaged the current pier beyond repair. The new pier is budgeted at $8.43 million, which includes the demolition and removal of the old fishing pier. Ninety percent of the project budget will be paid for utilizing FEMA federal aid for disaster recovery funds for improved projects with a state share of 7.5 percent and the county funding 2.5 percent or $210,626.

The new fishing pier will be constructed approximately 200 feet to the left of the previous pier and will feature:

Pier length- 1,500 feet
Steel Strength- grade 100, which has a corrosion lifespan of 50-60 years
Concrete piles- 146-two foot square concrete piles totaling over 9,500 feet in length combined
An octagonal end design with a surface area of approximately 3,800 square feet.
Deck- over 370 breakaway wood panels, which would detach during heavy wave action and help preserve integrity of the structure, reducing possible storm repair costs
Deck height- 30 feet above the water
Surface- over 32,000 square feet of accessible surface
Railing- more than 3,000 feet of handrail with no obstructions located above the railing which would interfere with fishing
Attendant building with stair and ramp access to pier
Low wattage lights to protect sea turtle nesting
Up to 15 handicap accessible railing locations
Two potable water spigots

There will be impacts to beach-goers during construction with construction traffic and parking areas roped off for construction equipment. Residents and tourists may use the facilities at the county’s Navarre Beach Park located adjacent to the pier area. The free park reopened in October and offers over 300 parking spaces, 11 pavilions, public restrooms, grills and boardwalks to the beach.