Along Florida’s northeast coast, SR A1A runs just feet from the ocean – past homes, businesses, and communities that have weathered years of hurricanes and erosion. When that narrow margin between land and sea gives way, the stability of communities along the coast is put at risk.
The SR A1A Emergency Repair Project is a solution designed to make this coastal corridor in Volusia and Flagler counties more resilient to future storms. DRMP was selected to serve as the Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) consultant in this effort to strengthen and protect one of the state’s most vulnerable stretches of shoreline.
DRMP Senior Vice President Erica Jernigan, PE, (yellow vest) talks with DRMP Project Administrator Scott Stagg, CCM, during a site visit, with an auger cast pile drill rig in the background
Our team managed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 5 (DeLand Operations) first Phased Design-Build (PDB) emergency repair contract. The project includes two secant pile seawalls along the beach – one spanning from Flagler County into Volusia County, and another located entirely within Volusia County. This project required a CEI team with strong technical expertise and the ability to manage complex construction methods under challenging conditions.
Managing Quality, Compliance, and Safety
Our role encompasses every stage of the project – starting with design and permitting, continuing through construction, and ending with final closeout.
We helped facilitate the design phase, working closely with FDOT and the Superior Construction/KCA design-build team during permitting and construction. Throughout the project, we partnered with the prime contractor, Superior Construction, and FDOT to make sure everything meets high standards for quality, compliance, and safety. DRMP continues to oversee the project as it moves toward completion in December 2025.
During construction, our CEI team regularly inspects the work to ensure it follows the plans and contract requirements. We help answer questions and manage changes quickly to keep the project running smoothly. We also keep track of the work being done and make sure the contractor is paid correctly each month.
DRMP Inspector Allen Rawson checks the reinforcement setup for the concrete cap atop the auger cast piles
After construction ends, our team manages all final documentation, including payments and material certifications required for FDOT’s approval. We update and submit the final drawings to reflect any changes for FDOT records.
CEI also verifies that Quality Control (QC) material samples meet FDOT standards by comparing them to samples we take ourselves.
Complex Methods and Challenging Conditions
This project requires advanced construction techniques, including the installation of auger cast piles and fiber-reinforced concrete cages, along with a rigorous grouting process involving continuous testing and documentation. Our team developed specialized inspection protocols to monitor these elements and verify compliance with FDOT specifications and environmental permits.
As part of the foundation work, more than 5,000 auger cast piles have been installed using high-strength grout and fiber-reinforced cages instead of traditional steel rebar for added durability and corrosion resistance. Our certified inspectors closely monitor the process to ensure quality. So far, more than 56,000 cubic yards of grout have been placed and over 1,200 samples tested to maintain high construction standards.
DRMP Inspector Aide Garrett Baldoni collecting verification samples of auger cast pile grout mix for 28-day cylinder breaks
While the location might seem like a dream job to some, working along the beach posed significant physical challenges. Florida summers brought extreme heat and swarms of insects, winters were cold and windy, and the area had frequent thunderstorms and hurricane threats. Despite these less-than-ideal conditions, our inspectors maintained the intensive grout testing schedules and documentation required to ensure the seawalls’ integrity.
A typical day began at sunrise when our inspection staff waited for the “all clear” from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Turtle Patrol, confirming no sea turtle nests were present in the work zone. Once that clearance was received, our inspectors monitored the contractor as they began installing the auger cast piles. This included inspecting and testing grout and concrete deliveries before any material could be used. Our team monitored all operations closely to ensure both public safety and construction quality.
Sunrise along SR A1A with a mini excavator silhouetted in the background
Environmental Stewardship and Community Coordination
Protecting the coastal environment was a priority throughout construction. We implemented measures to safeguard sea turtle nesting areas, manage stormwater runoff, and minimize disruption to nearby residents and businesses. Our inspection team adjusted work schedules during nesting seasons and conducted 24/7 storm monitoring during high-risk periods to ensure both safety and compliance.
Our CEI team facilitated the installation of silt fences on top of the seawalls to prevent sand from entering residential yards and to keep sea turtles out of the work zone.
DRMP Senior Inspector Will Laye verifying pile separation for reconstruction of a dune crossover along SR A1A
We also played an active role in providing project transparency and community engagement by coordinating frequent communication with the contractor’s superintendent and FDOT’s public information office. Staff worked with the FDOT public information officer to ensure the public was well informed of construction progress and what to expect as different phases of the construction moved through their residential area.
For example, we installed FDOT signs to direct the public to our field office in the event they had questions and wanted to speak with a team member. Additional coordination with homeowners and business owners was also essential, especially when drilling occurred in front of their properties. We also conducted weekly Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flights to document construction progress and to help with public information efforts. Our CEI team is certified in Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) and closely monitored traffic flow to ensure safety for residents, pedestrians, and workers.
During construction, we worked closely with homeowners who had private beach walkovers and the local community to maintain beach access while the two seawalls were installed. All walkovers had to be temporarily removed for the work, so DRMP coordinated with the contractor to install Mobi-Mat walkways, ensuring safe, temporary access for pedestrians until the walkovers could be rebuilt.
DRMP also worked closely with the design-build team and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to make certain the sand used matched public expectations and received approval for the silt fencing along the dune to reduce windblown sand and keep sea turtles out of the work zone. DRMP also coordinated with FDEP to include all walkovers under the existing Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) permit, streamlining approvals and avoiding project delays.
Delivering Lasting Resilience
This project has been a strong example of DRMP’s Construction Services capabilities, overseeing a technically demanding repair that directly supports Florida’s coastal resiliency efforts. Beyond the structural improvements, we helped manage environmental protections, coordinated with multiple stakeholders, and maintained quality standards in a challenging and dynamic setting.
Our team grew professionally through the project with staff taking on expanded roles and responsibilities. Examples of this include advancing CEI staff into roles such as inspector’s aides, assistant contract support specialists, and assistant project administrators.
Feedback from FDOT leadership has been positive, demonstrating DRMP’s consistent dedication and expertise brought to the job. FDOT District 5 Secretary John Tyler, PE, visited the site multiple times, which is an uncommon occurrence and underscores the importance of this project. He personally commended our team for their work and noted the positive feedback he has received from internal staff and the public.
FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, PE, (yellow vest) is given a tour of the auger cast pile drill rig during a site visit with the team
Our project was also visited by FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, PE. Additionally, Florida State House Rep. Bill Partington (District 28, Volusia County), and several county commissioners also visited the site.
The CEI team’s most impactful contribution was building a strong, positive relationship with the contractor, allowing issues to be resolved quickly and efficiently in the field. Our team’s early attention to past concerns, such as sand color and proactive community outreach helped prevent complaints, ensured material compliance, and minimized disruptions throughout the project.
As DRMP’s Florida CEI leader, I am proud to commend our CEI team for being exceptional in every aspect of this project. They remained steady through difficult environmental conditions, including Hurricane Milton, and we have been proud to create opportunities for staff to grow.
This project has been rewarding in many ways. We are strengthening Florida’s coastline and keeping A1A safe by protecting the homes, condominiums, and businesses that line this corridor. We are proud to partner with Superior Construction, a top-notch contractor who shares our commitment to delivering a safe, high-quality project that enhances coastal resiliency for the community.
