VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A long-delayed beach nourishment project at Croatan Beach is back underway after work was paused earlier this year to protect a sea turtle nest.

The city of Virginia Beach and the Army Corps of Engineers restarted construction again last week, three months after crews were forced to halt operations when baby sea turtles were discovered in August.

Officials waited until the hatchlings made it to the ocean before resuming work.

Orange fencing now lines portions of Croatan Beach as contractors place new sand dredged from the Chesapeake Bay. The project is designed to reinforce the dunes and protect nearby homes.

“It’s great news,” said Mike Kelly, president of the Croatan Civic League. Kelly said he remembers first talking about plans for new sand placement in 2015 a

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