By Dawn Krebs
dkrebs@hometownnewsol.com
FORT PIERCE - During a monthly update concerning the islands being built in front of the marina, Ed Seissiger, engineer projects coordinator, showed the Fort Pierce City Commission how the construction was on track.
The largest island, Tern Island, is approximately 30 percent complete, and Lucas Marine, the company hired to build the islands, has begun to construct the freeform islands on the north end of the marina.
In addition to being on schedule, the project is also still on budget.
"As far as reimbursements, the total obligated money for this project is $18 million," Mr. Seissiger told the city commission, "(The city) has requested $9 million in reimbursements, and have received almost $8 million, with $1.3 million outstanding."
He indicated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the agency responsible for paying for the project, has been paying the requests in approximately 32 to 48 days.
Once the islands are completed, plans will be made to involve the public in an educational program.
The islands are a result of the city partnering with the state in a unique pilot project, where the islands currently being built as habitat islands will also be used as protection from incoming storms.
When completed, there will be 12 islands constructed out of sand filled with geotextile cores with graded rock armor. This will be the first time in Florida that islands are being built to protect a shoreline.
The project is expected to be complete by spring 2013.