Crews dump sand while working on a beach reconstruction project at the end of the Seawall in Galveston, Texas. Trucks have begun dumping sand on a Galveston beach as part of a nearly $5 million expansion and anti-erosion effort. The vehicles will continue dropping off sand behind the Diamond Beach condominiums over the next several months as part of a $4.8 million project extending west to Dellanera RV Park, the Galveston County Daily News reported.(AP Photo/The Galveston County Daily News, Jennifer Reynolds)

1. $4.8M Galveston beach restoration project to begin
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4. Galveston beach reconstruction project nears completion

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Trucks have begun dumping sand on a Galveston beach as part of a nearly $5 million expansion and anti-erosion effort.

The vehicles will continue dropping off sand behind the Diamond Beach condominiums over the next several months as part of a $4.8 million project extending west to Dellanera RV Park, the Galveston County Daily News reported.

City and state officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the start of the Dellanera project, emphasizing the benefits of an expanded beachfront.

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said beaches attract visitors who spend money, which ultimately leads to more tax revenues for the state.

Two other projects are planned to begin next year to bring more sand to seawall beaches. All three projects to improve the beaches will cost up to $30 million.

“Beaches are like any other infrastructure — road, bridges, buildings — you’ve got to continue to maintain them,” Park Board Executive Director Kelly de Schaun said.

Patterson will be replaced by George P. Bush, who was elected to the job in November. Park Board Chairman Melvin Williams said he hopes the new land commissioner will be friendly to the projects.

“I think the new land commissioner will be kind to Galveston,” Williams said. “I think if he doesn’t like Galveston, we’re going to be in trouble.”

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