SAN CLEMENTE

Workers pounded piles 30 feet into the sand and then pummeled them with 5,000-pound hammers earlier this week as part of a $2-million restoration and expansion project at San Clemente Pier.

The city will split the project’s costs with HEG Enterprises, which represents the Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar at the pier’s entrance.

The city is expected to pay about $950,000 for a portion of the restaurant’s expansion and for repairs made underneath the pier, according to Lynn Hughes, marine safety and recreation manager for the city. The city is also donating $300,000 for additional pier repairs.

“It sounds like a lot of money to give, but that restaurant generates about $255,000 in revenue to the city,” Hughes said.

HEG Enterprises will pick up the rest of the tab, according to Bob Novello, director of operations.

However, the restaurant will then pay about $1 million for a 13,000-square-foot expansion and for flooring improvements made on top of the pier, Novello said.

“People can still come here to eat during this whole project,” Novello said.