New Smyrna Beach residents question $25 million sand project as king tides expose seawalls

Just five months after Volusia County spent about $25 million placing sand along New Smyrna Beach, some of that sand has already washed away, leaving seawalls exposed and residents questioning whether the project was worth the money.It’s the result of strong winds and king tides, which have carved away parts of the shoreline, leaving steep drop-offs in the sand.The erosion is especially noticeable along stretches of beach that were part of the county’s sand placement project completed in May. Crews placed approximately 550,000 cubic yards of sand along more than four miles of New Smyrna Beach to help protect coastal homes and infrastructure.But seeing how much the shoreline has changed in just a few months has left some locals frustrated.“It’s kind of ridiculous to me,” said New Smyrna Beach resident Sky Funderburk. “Out of all the things they can spend money on in the county, they decide to spend it on that? The ocean moves and stuff, I don’t know why they would do that.”Another local