Hilton Head’s $47.5 million beach renourishment project set to mobilize this summer pending final contract and permits

Hilton Head Island staff told the town council March 13 that the island’s planned beach renourishment project is budgeted at $47.5 million for fiscal 2026 and is on track to begin mobilization in July if final permits and contract approvals are completed.

Assistant Town Manager Sean Leininger said the town received four bids and selected MarinX as the low bidder; the low bid was "just under 39,000,000," he said. The total budget includes additional scope items such as breakwaters for Pine Island that staff estimates will add about $5 million.

Why it matters: beach renourishment accounts for the majority of the town’s capital program this year—the budget displays roughly $47.5 million for renourishment within a $77.6 million CIP—and the project’s timing affects other town projects and park access.

Permits, schedule and contractor: Leininger said the town has received state permitting for Pine Island and is awaiting federal permits. "Our permit is pending for Pine Island," he said. Based on the schedule provided to staff, mobilization is estimated to begin July 7, with on-site construction—pumping sand—expected to start around Aug. 6 and continue into spring. "We estimate...that will be done by May thirtieth of 20 26," said Sean Leininger.

Contract and budget conditions: town staff said contract review and execution will follow first- and second-reading approval of the budget. Leininger said the contract review is underway and the town’s goal is to align contract execution with the budget approval timeline, aiming for a June contract award if the council approves the budget in early June.

Public impacts and communications: staff said the contractor will likely stage equipment at Islanders Beach Park. The town plans a multi-pronged communications effort—social media, newsletters, press outreach, project web page, mailings to beachfront property owners and coordination with property-owner associations—to inform residents and businesses of parking and access impacts. "We have a project page that's dedicated just to this topic where people can gather information," Leininger said.

Budget position: Leininger told council the bids and current estimates indicate the project is "coming in on on budget, for everything that we've shown so far," though he cautioned the overall number includes contingencies and scope items still under negotiation.

Ending: Town staff recommended proceeding with final contract steps and communications after the council’s budget process. The project remains contingent on the outstanding federal permit for Pine Island, final contract terms and the council’s formal budget approval.