Long-awaited opening of Surfside Beach Pier planned. Here’s when you can visit it again
It appears that the long wait for the reopening of the Surfside Beach Pier may be coming closer to an end.
The agenda for Tuesday’s Surfside Beach town council meeting includes information about a pier dedication on Sept. 21 and a soft opening of the pier on Oct. 12.
The agenda said that there will be entertainment, and a trolley will provide transportation from various points in town to the pier.
Efforts to restore the pier have been plagued by years of cost overruns and construction delays.
The pier was damaged when powerful winds from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 sheared off half of its 800-foot-long walkway and closed it indefinitely.
FEMA awarded the town $15 million in 2021 to pay for the pier’s upgrades, but the costs have climbed to roughly $20 million.
Surfside’s pier has been a part of the coastal town’s identify for a half century. Initially built in 1953, it was rebuilt three times because of storm damage.
Officials had said previously that the pier would be open for walkers by the end of August, but a grand opening wouldn’t take place until next year.
Public Works Director John Adair gave a pier update during the Aug. 22 town council meeting. He said handrails were installed, ADA requirements are being met, the podium to the pier gate would be installed by the end of August and the parking lot is in progress.
In addition, the Public Works department has installed 20 fishing benches, trash can holders, signage and fishing rod holders at the end of the pier.
Adair is expected to give an additional pier update at Tuesday’s council meeting.
This story was originally published September 9, 2023 at 8:51 AM.
