Myrtle Beach Begins Ocean Outfall Project: Key Details and Impacts Ahead

Myrtle Beach Gears Up for Ocean Outfall Project: What You Need to Know

Hello Myrtle Beach! We’ve got some news rolling in about our beloved beach that you’ll want to hear, especially if you hang out around 24th Avenue North. Starting from October 24th, construction crews will be closing off a section of the beach to kick off the next phase of the ocean outfall project. This endeavor aims to keep our ocean clean and our beach beautiful, so let’s dive into what this all means.

What’s Happening?

Now, when we say there’s going to be a closure, we’re talking about a section of the beach that runs from 24th Avenue North all the way to North Ocean Boulevard and Withers Drive. To paint a clearer picture, the closed-off area will have the same width as the access point, so it’s not going to be a major chunk of beach that we’ll miss. But still, it’s good to plan ahead if you’re a beach-frequenting fan!

What’s this Project About?

The big deal here is phase two of the ocean outfall project, which is an $40 million initiative. Most of that—around $37 million—is coming straight from the state to help create a clean and friendly environment. In this phase, crews will be installing two massive 84-inch pipes that will eventually form one colossal pipe. One will go underground, while the other will range around 1,500 feet under the ocean. Cool, right?

Why Should You Care?

Well, aside from the fact that these pipes will aid in filtering stormwater before it reaches the ocean, helping to keep our waters sparkling clean, this project will also be removing 11 storm pipes off our beach. That’s a big win for the environment! City spokesperson Meredith Denari mentioned that once everything wraps up, the new setup will improve water quality and help keep our beach safe and clean for everyone—from locals to vacationers.

What’s the Deal with Noise?

Hold on tight because there’s a little bit of noise we need to chat about. As part of the construction, there will be some pile-driving going on. This technique could get rather loud as crews build the trestle that extends into the ocean. According to Denari, most of this noise should only last through the month of October, and surprisingly, there haven’t been many complaints so far. So folks seem to be understanding that this is all for a greater cause!

What’s Next?

If you happen to stroll by the closure area at 24th Avenue, you’ll immediately see the crews hard at work. They’ve already started putting together the trestle extending out to the ocean. Once everything is all set and done, we can expect the project to be finalized by early 2026. That’s right, we’re looking at just over a year before all this goodness is complete.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, Myrtle Beach! We’re in for a little beach closure, but it’s all for a great cause. Make sure to stay informed and keep an eye on where the sand castles and sunbathing will be happening as this project unfolds. Let’s embrace the noise and the dust for our beautiful ocean and clean beaches!