SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — A project to combat beach erosion in Encinitas and Solana Beach is now finished.
Local and state leaders held a news conference Monday morning at Encinitas City Hall.
"With more sand on the beach, we'll see greater recreation opportunities for our residents, more visitors to local businesses, further benefits to our environment," said U.S. Congressman Mike Levin.
He said there will also be increased safety and stability to protect the coastal bluffs. He was joined by the mayors of Encinitas and Solana Beach as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to talk about the project.
The stretch of shoreline about a mile and a half long between Boneyard Beach and Swami's Beach is now wider in Encinitas. Crews filled it with thousands of cubic yards of compatible sand.
"I think this is a beautiful thing, it's gonna bring people here for the summer and make it enjoyable," said Encinitas resident Patrick Danforth.
"It was not enjoyable before when you had to walk down the rocks. We watched people struggle going down to the beach," he added.
The sand will be replenished every five years for the next 50 years. The price tag on the project is $50 million dollars. Most of it is paid for with state and federal funds.
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