BLM, partners begin Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse shoreline stabilization project; work to run through 2026

The Bureau of Land Management on April 1 told the Jupiter Town Council that construction has begun on a roughly $16 million shoreline stabilization and public‑access project at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area.

The project, intended to reduce severe erosion and maintain public recreation access, will run in stages through about August 2026, BLM spokesman Peter DeWitt said. "We are attempting to leave as much of the site open as possible," DeWitt told the council, noting dune stabilization work began immediately and in‑water work would follow.

BLM said the protected public land has lost as much as 7 feet of shoreline per year in parts of the unit, leading to roughly 5 acres of land loss over 50 years. The work includes 22 natural‑stone wave‑attenuation features, retaining walls, expanded pedestrian beach areas, more than 800 feet of boardwalk, a dock intended for transient public and safety vessels (no permanent moorings), ADA pathways and an experimental living‑shoreline system developed by the University of Miami to be monitored for 10 years.

Why it matters: The shoreline loss threatened historic, biological and recreational values on federally protected land adjacent to private and municipal water uses. Council members asked about boater access and safety; DeWitt said project designers studied boat use over a year and expect average daily shore visits to be about 17 boats, with higher peaks on holiday weekends. "The design ... will accommodate between 17 and 20 boats at a time, depending on the size of the boat and the skill of the captain," he said.

How it will work: BLM said dune work is first, followed by in‑water construction, with targeted closures and turbidity curtains in the active work areas. DeWitt said some shoreline segments will remain open while other sections are stabilized; the turbidity curtain(s) will be moved as work advances. The boardwalk and dock are later elements in the schedule.

Funding and schedule: BLM estimated overall project cost at about $16,000,000. Construction alone was given as $14,500,000. DeWitt said roughly $7.5 million came through federal appropriations tied to the Great American Outdoors Act and about $7.0 million came from the Florida Inland Navigation District. Groundbreaking occurred the previous Monday; BLM expects completion around August 2026.

Local questions and follow up: Council members asked for one‑page materials and a clearer public‑facing link; DeWitt said a BLM project webpage exists and staff would share a one‑page flyer for town distribution. Councilors pressed on boater impacts and the placement of openings in the protective features; DeWitt said the openings were sited to match observed boat‑use locations and areas of reduced current. He also confirmed the project will not change the shoreline contour to reclaim lost land but is designed to arrest further retreat.

What’s next: Construction is underway and will bring staged closures and visible changes over the coming weeks. BLM and town staff offered to return with status updates as the project progresses.