Some Anna Maria Island beaches ready to reopen

Manatee County announced on Thursday that it would hold a press conference on Friday to discuss the opening of some of the main beaches on Anna Maria Island.

The county has been fast-tracking work to reopen the beaches since Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through the area.

A release said the county would discuss ongoing repair and recovery work along with sand-sifting operations.

The video below shows work on Thursday.

Much sand remains piled up along the roadways however traffic is flowing again. The release notes that "At the Manatee County Public Beach near the end of Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive, picnic tables have been replaced near the open-for business Anna Maria Island Beach Café and folks are visiting the beaches."

Along Cortez Beach, some beach access points remained closed and debris litters the sand, which is going to take more time to open.

The release also notes, "At Coquina Beach, sand-raking operations are ensuring that the beach is clear and ready to accept visitors this weekend. Parking will be at a premium as the nearby parking areas are being used for innovative sand-sifting operations for municipal, citizen-cleared and roadway sand. These ongoing on-site processes are designed to save money, time and effort by returning “good sand” directly to the beaches where it was washed away."

Manatee County District Three Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker, and Deputy Director of Parks and County Grounds Carmine DeMilio will be on hand Friday to discuss the effort.