The Emergency Beach Berm Project on South Marco Beach is wrapping up and expected to be completed later this week, Collier County officials said. The last truckload of sand needed for this portion of the approximately $20 million project funded by Tourist Development Tax funds was delivered to South Marco Beach on Monday afternoon. The berm is needed to replace the dunes destroyed when Hurricane Ian struck on Sept. 28. The dunes are a first defense against wave action and storm surge for upland structures, including residences and other buildings just beyond the beach. The project was divided into two segments, and two separate contractors were hired to facilitate quicker completion. Reach A is the segment within the City of Naples limits that was constructed by county contractor Phillips and Jordan Inc. Reach B, handled by Earth Tech Enterprises Inc., extends from the northern limits of Collier County at Barefoot Beach and includes Vanderbilt Beach, Pelican Bay Beach and the beach along South Marco Island. Crews completed work on most of Reach A in May. The work on Port Royal Beach was suspended until the remaining easements are acquired to access the beach. The county may try to complete that portion in November after sea turtle nesting season ends. Approximately 390,000 tons of sand have been placed on beaches in Reach A and Reach B. It is anticipated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will reimburse the expenditure.