- June 21, 2025
FDOT works on the seawall project in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The north seawall in Flagler Beach across the street from Clubhouse Drive. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Chris Barone, DeLand operations engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation, speaks about the seawall projects in Flagler Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea during a media event on Thursday, June 5. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
FDOT machinery works on the seawall project in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A sign warns motorists of construction along A1A. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kevin Hayden, Deland operations construction engineer, speaks about the seawall projects in Flagler Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea during a media event on Thursday, June 5. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ron Meade, FDOT District 5 maintenance engineer, speaks about the seawall projects in Flagler Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea during a media event on Thursday, June 5. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
FDOT machinery works on the seawall project in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
FDOT works on the seawall project in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
FDOT works on the seawall project in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
FDOT works on the seawall project in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
FDOT works on the seawall project in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Florida Department of Transportation's $117 million buried seawall project along A1A in Flagler Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea continues full speed ahead as hurricane season begins.
FDOT's contractor, Superior Construction, began construction on the first of the two seawalls — located at South Central Avenue in Flagler Beach south to the Flagler County line — in late March 2024. The seawall in Ormond-by-the-Sea stretches south of Sunrise Avenue to Marlin Drive.
Each of the two seawalls is about 1.3 miles long and are aimed at safeguarding the A1A corridor against sand erosion and storm damage, as previously experienced in past hurricanes.
"This is really exciting for us to be this far along in the progress of construction," said Chris Barone, FDOT DeLand operations engineer. "And what we did at FDOT is an innovative approach to the construction itself."
Hurricanes Ian and Nicole were the state department's "last wake-up call" along A1A, Barone said. FDOT formed a strike team made up of members from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers, City of Flagler Beach, Flagler County and Volusia County, and following public meetings, FDOT decided to pursue the construction of buried seawalls, also known as secant walls.
Overlapping concrete pillars were placed underneath the sand, and FDOT then reconstructed dunes and planted native landscaping.
Kevin Hayden, DeLand operations construction engineer, said motorists traveling on A1A today can see all of the different phases of construction.
"Normally, when you think of a seawall, you think of a large concrete or steel structure that's exposed," Hayden said. "However, these secant walls are a little different, because they're actually buried underneath the dune — the sand and the grass. Under normal circumstances, you wouldn't even know that that wall is there."
The north wall in Flagler Beach is nearing completion. FDOT is waiting until a turtle nest hatches in the area before reconstructing a final dune section, which spans about 50 feet. The placement of the pilings in the south wall is about 85% complete. FDOT expects both walls to be completed by the end of the year.
Barone assured that the seawalls will minimize hurricane impacts to residents and area businesses, as a seawall in Flagler Beach, located from Osprey Drive to North 18th Street, held during Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. It was constructed in 2019.
"The construction of these two sections of seawall ... is what I would consider the best protection we've ever had on this A1A corridor in my entire span of working with FDOT," said Barone, who has worked for the department for 25 years.
A1A is one of FDOT's most challenging roads to maintain because of its proximity to the ocean, said Ron Meade, District 5 maintenance engineer. FDOT wanted to find a way to protect the road while also protecting the beach.
In total, FDOT has protected about 7 miles of A1A in Flagler County and the northern part of Volusia County, Meade said.
"I'm glad to tell you, in all these years, A1A is going to be with the highest level of protection it's ever had," he said. "But I know Mother Nature — she has her own plan, so we're always on the ready."
