Myrtle Beach Renourishment — Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: August 20, 2026
What is the Myrtle Beach Construction Tracker?
The Myrtle Beach Construction Tracker is a free, public, real-time map published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on the ArcGIS platform. It shows exactly where beach renourishment crews are working along the Grand Strand each day, which sections of beach are temporarily closed, and which areas are already finished.
Is the renourishment tracker the same as the construction tracker?
Yes. The "Myrtle Beach renourishment tracker" and the "Myrtle Beach construction tracker" are the same thing — the official live ArcGIS map from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers showing where crews are working along the Grand Strand. "Renourishment" is the technical term for the construction work (pumping sand onto the beach), so the two names are used interchangeably for the same map.
Where can I find the official tracker?
The official tracker is hosted on ArcGIS at arcg.is/1bbrfr3. It is updated daily and shows the entire project from North Myrtle Beach to Pawleys Island. We link to it from every page of this site.
Is the beach open now that renourishment is over?
Yes — everywhere. The project was completed on August 15, 2026, and every beach and access along the Grand Strand has reopened. During construction, only about 1,000 feet of shoreline was closed at any one time while crews pumped sand; those rolling closures are now a thing of the past.
Will the beach be closed during my 2026 vacation?
No. The Grand Strand renourishment project finished on August 15, 2026, and there are no remaining construction closures anywhere — North Myrtle Beach, Arcadian Shores, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and Garden City are all complete and fully open.
When was the beach renourishment finished?
The full project was officially completed on August 15, 2026. By segment: North Myrtle Beach finished January 31, Myrtle Beach finished July 3, and Surfside Beach/Garden City — the final phase — finished August 15, closing out the $72 million Grand Strand project.
Will the southern end of Garden City get new sand?
No. The stretch south of 1303 South Waccamaw Drive sits outside the federal project footprint, which is based on a feasibility study from the 1990s. USACE project manager Sonja Carter has said the Corps has no authority to place sand beyond that footprint. Adding the southern tip would require a new study and a separate local effort with its own funding.
Why was the project delayed?
Mechanical failures on dredging equipment and scheduling conflicts halted progress after work moved from North Myrtle Beach to Myrtle Beach in early 2026, pushing the timeline back roughly two months from the original Memorial Day target.
Why is construction happening during peak tourist season?
USACE project manager Sonja Carter explained that while summer renourishment can be disruptive, it is imperative to complete the project before peak hurricane season. The wider beach is itself a storm-protection measure.
What is beach renourishment?
Beach renourishment (or nourishment) is the process of pumping sand from offshore onto an eroded beach to rebuild its width and elevation. A wider beach protects oceanfront property from storm surge and restores recreational space. This project placed more than 1.55 million cubic yards of sand along nearly 28 miles of coastline, per USACE’s final tally.
Who is paying for the project?
The $72 million Grand Strand project is fully funded by the federal government, with one exception: the Arcadian Shores segment was funded locally by the City of Myrtle Beach in partnership with Horry County.
Who is doing the work?
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ contractor for the project. Crews operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Which beach accesses are closed?
None. With the project complete as of August 15, 2026, every beach access along the Grand Strand has reopened — including all Myrtle Beach accesses (such as 67th Avenue North) and everything in the Surfside Beach–Garden City stretch.
Is any dredging equipment still on the beach?
Crews demobilize after completion, so any remaining pipes or equipment staging should disappear quickly. If you spot fenced-off gear, keep clear of it — but the ocean and beach are otherwise open as normal everywhere.
What about sea turtles and shorebirds?
The project includes daily monitoring for migratory shorebirds and sea turtles. Nests are relocated when necessary, and construction pauses if sea turtles are present in the work area.
Still planning your trip? See the full 2026 schedule or check current beach closures.