Original Surfside Beach pier was damaged during Hurricane Matthew
Construction began earlier this week on the new Surfside Beach fishing pier, which was partially destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The new pier is being built from a combination of concrete pilings and supports, and wooden planking. It is designed as a hurricane-resistant structure.
The concrete materials will make up the support system of the pier. This should stand up against hurricanes much stronger than previous piers. The wooden planking is designed to be washed away during storm surges without impacting the structural rigidity of the support system. The planking will be much easier and inexpensive to replace than completely rebuilding another pier.
The pier is being rebuilt using a $10 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It will take about two years to complete the pier.
The new pier will be taller than the original
Aside from using new materials, the new pier will also be built 10 feet higher than the previous pier.
After Hurricane Matthew damaged the pier, a series of delays held up the new construction project. Originally awarded to Orion Marine Group and FBi Construction, the project was put on hold over legal technicalities. Those companies then rescinded their bid, further delaying the project.
With the FEMA grant set to expire, Surfside Beach then applied for an 18-month extension to use the money. FEMA granted the extension, avoiding the loss of the grant and allowing the project to continue.
Consensus Construction, a South Carolina-based company with offices in Georgetown and Myrtle Beach, are the contractors for the new pier.
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