Arecibo receives $36.3 million for breakwaters to stanch coastal erosion

Arecibo Mayor Carlos Ramírez Irizarry chaired an informational meeting with residents of two communities in the municipality to provide updates on a coastal erosion management project that has received $36.3 million in federal funding for the construction of two breakwaters. (Israel Morales)

By THE STAR STAFF

Arecibo Mayor Carlos R. Ramírez Irizarry chaired an informational meeting earlier this week with residents of the Barrio Obrero and Radioville communities to detail everything related to the coastal erosion management project in that area. The project has been allocated $36.3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the construction of two breakwaters in the coastal zone, specifically alongside Avenida Atlántico.

At the Francisco “Paco” Abreu Community Center, the mayor said “the request for federal funds for the development of the projects was formally submitted.”

“We recognize the interest of the coastal communities of both Barrio Obrero and Radioville, who, prior to our administration, unsuccessfully requested government assistance to address this situation,” Ramírez Irizarry said.

The mayor confirmed that last Friday, the announcement of the call for professional services proposals (RFP) for the mitigation project under evaluation was published in the press.

“Barring any extraordinary circumstances, we hope to complete this process by the first week of October of this year,” Municipal Secretary Yisel Belén said. “We must also note that, to date, neither the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) nor the Planning Board (JP) have supported the Autonomous Municipality of Arecibo in this matter, which is contrary to the provisions of Executive Order 2023-009, signed by former Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia on April 11, 2023, which is still in effect.”

Alejandro Soriano, director of the Planning Office, also participated in the meeting, as did Sen. Marially González Huertas, a member of the Natural Resources Committee in the upper chamber.

During the meeting, the municipality presented a brief background on the events related to the issue. It was explained that coastal erosion is one of the most pressing environmental and infrastructure problems facing Puerto Rico.

“According to studies conducted by the United States Geological Survey and other entities, the Arecibo coast is facing severe coastal erosion, exacerbated by rising sea levels and the presence of rigid structures that impede the natural movement of sand.”

The affected area consists of two sections of some 2,700 linear feet of shoreline (coastal zone) facing the community of Radioville and 1,700 linear feet of shoreline in the Barrio Obrero community, which has around 40 homes. The Radioville development comprises homes, commercial buildings and businesses and is also a high-traffic area due to its location and ocean views. The project includes two concrete structures: one 827 meters long along Avenida Atlántico in the community of Radioville and another 527 meters long along the community of Barrio Obrero. The goal of the proposed mitigation project is to reduce the impact of storm surges and coastal erosion and, consequently, mitigate damage to the homes of both communities, to the water and sewer infrastructure that runs through the area, as well as to the road that runs between the coast and the communities.