Dune Crossover Replacement — Riomar

Riomar's beachfront sits squarely within sea turtle nesting habitat, and every element of a dune crossover replacement there must account for that fact — not as a compliance checkbox, but as a design constraint that shapes every material and fixture choice from the first plan sheet.

The existing crossover at this Riomar residence had reached end of service life. The deck boards had deteriorated, the structural framing showed corrosion damage consistent with years of salt air exposure, and the lighting fixtures were not compliant with current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission guidance on sea-turtle-safe coastal lighting. A new crossover was the correct decision, not another repair cycle.

The replacement was permitted through the FDEP Joint Coastal Permit and the Indian River County Coastal Construction permit — the dual-agency pathway that applies to structures seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line. Permit coordination required documentation of construction methodology during sea turtle nesting season (February 1 through November 1), including the lighting specification.

The crossover was designed at 65 linear feet, 5 feet in width, with four intermediate resting platforms spaced for comfortable descent and ascent across the dune profile. IPE hardwood was selected for the decking surface: a dense tropical hardwood with exceptional resistance to salt-air decay, weathering, and UV degradation. IPE requires no surface treatment in a beachfront environment and weathers to a uniform silver-gray — consistent with the old-Florida aesthetic that characterizes Riomar's established residential character.

All hardware was specified in galvanized steel. The lighting system uses low-profile, fully shielded down-lit fixtures with FWC-compliant amber spectrum — visible enough for safe use at night, invisible from the nesting beach.

Construction was completed in early 2024 outside the nesting season window, with both permits passing final inspection on the first review.