Crews began positioning equipment Monday to begin a long-delayed dredging project at John’s Pass in Madeira Beach, Florida, aimed at clearing decades of accumulated sand.

The $1.5 million project, funded by the Florida legislature in 2022, will remove nearly 13,000 cubic yards of sand from the northern end of John’s Pass. Sand accumulation has been an issue for approximately 29 years, blocking access to marinas and creating hazardous conditions.

According to Madeira Beach officials, the actual dredging work is scheduled to begin Wednesday or Thursday. Equipment mobilization and the preparation of a staging area for the removed sand were completed on Monday.

The sand buildup has become a public safety concern. The city’s fire chief identified John’s Pass as the top location for water rescues due to strong currents created by the sand accumulation. Captain Dylan Hubbard, owner of Hubbard’s Marina, said the sand also poses dangers to marine animals navigating the area.

City officials estimate the project will take 60 to 90 days to complete and will restore the channel to a depth of 10 to 12 feet. The City of Madeira Beach plans to use the excavated sand for future projects.

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