Oceanside Dr/Turner Rd. Seawall Repair

Much of Scituate’s coastline, especially the stretch on Oceanside Dr. and Turner Rd. in the Sand Hills neighborhood is exposed to high-energy wave action driven by strong northeasterly winds and storms that occur in the winter months. The seawall on Oceanside provides protection to the Sand Hills neighborhood and the critical Sand Hills sewer pump station from coastal flooding. Currently the wall is in disrepair and a powerful storm could cause the wall to fail.  Additionally, the height of the seawall is insufficient to prevent substantial overtopping by waves during storm events, especially as sea levels rise.

The Town recently applied for a $12 million dollar grant to replace a 1,400-foot section of the seawall and fronting armor stone from Kenneth Road to Scituate Avenue.  The Town received $5.9 million dollars from the Massachusetts Dam and Seawall fund so a smaller segment of the seawall and fronting revetment will be replaced in the 2023-2024 timeframe.

The seawall will be reconstructed within its current footprint and alignment, and the fronting revetment will also be reconstructed. The height of the new seawall will be two feet taller and will provide enhanced storm protection and reduce wave overtopping. 

Construction is expected to begin in 2023 and last approximately eight-ten months.  The Town will work directly with the affected homeowners prior to construction in order to minimize disruptions.