Two Tybee Island beach access points reopen ahead of summer season

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) -Two beach access points on Tybee Island have reopened after being closed for nearly a year due to erosion, city officials said.

The access points at 2nd Street and 19th Street were closed at the end of last summer’s beach season after erosion created dangerous conditions. Tybee Mayor Brian West said sand naturally accreted back against the washed-away areas over the winter, allowing the city to re-open them.

“It’s really great news because it’s safer now to get down to the beach,” West said.

Erosion created dangerous conditions

At 2nd Street, the city had to slowly draw back the boardwalk as erosion worsened. West said the drop became too dangerous, forcing a complete closure.

People made a path through the dunes to reach the beach, creating additional problems. West said an 8-foot cliff formed where the ocean hit the dune, and turtle nests in the dune were washing away. The city had to relocate those nests.

“That kind of defeats the purpose of having a dune when people are wearing it down by walking through it,” West said.

The reopening comes ahead of the busy summer season. West said the 19th Street access is particularly important because of the parking available in that area.

Island still dealing with erosion

Despite the reopening, Tybee Island still has 54% less beach than at the beginning of the erosion process, West said. The main beach remains washed away.

The news comes after the city learned it would not receive expected federal funding for a beach renourishment project scheduled to begin in December.

“We’re still working on that project. So we’re still hoping to get money from other sources for that,” West said.

Maxwell Cloud, a Savannah resident who visits Tybee two to three times a month, said the funding cuts are disappointing.

“I think it’s really important to put money into these beaches. This is a big attraction for the city of Savannah, too,” Cloud said. “It’s sad that they don’t want to put the funding into it.”

West said beachgoers should be prepared to travel along the beach to find space and should check tide schedules. He said low tide days will be better for beach access.

“There’s lots of other things to do here at Tybee besides go to the beach. And we look forward to everyone coming and visiting this summer,” West said.