Bulldozers Reduce Steep Beach Slope

Work to reshape specific parts of the beach, fill in low-lying areas and reduce a slope along the sand started Tuesday, according to SANDAG spokeswoman Helen Gao.

"This work is similar to what was done in early February near Cortez Avenue," she said. "The efforts will flatten out the existing beach, not regrade or recontour the entire beach."

Bulldozers may operate on the beach until Monday, Gao said.

The work will be focused on Seacoast Drive south of Imperial Beach Boulevard between Admiralty Way and Beach Avenue as well as near Descanso Avenue, said Ed Vea with the City of Imperial Beach.

Residents and beachgoers have complained about water forming in pools in the new sand since a SANDAG sand replenishment project brought 450,000 cubic yards of sand to the area last fall.

Property owners nearby said the water started to leak into their parking garages and elsewhere and expressed concern that the water could have long term consequences.

State and federal employees who work in the Tijuana Estuary also expressed concern about the potential impact of sand on the flow of the Tijuana River.

SANDAG did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

To see coverage of sand replenishment by IB Patch see the sand replenishment Topic page.