A recent breach of the dune at the Indian River Inlet has sparked a move to shore it up and to add more sand later this year. Photo by DNREC.
Coastal dunes just north of the Indian River inlet will be getting additional metal sheets embedded in the sand as well as emergency sand replacement after two breaches this year and recent near-breaches, Gov. John Carney announced Thursday.
The work is designed to protect the beach and Delaware Route 1 during the winter storm season.
The metal sheets will be added by the state Department of Transportation. The emergency sand replacement will be handled by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
“This area is one of the most visible signs of the increasing effect of storms on our state,” Carney said in a press release. “State crews have been engaged in continuous repair work over the last month, but we are still seeing threat to the dunes and the highway at many high tides, so we need to put larger protections into place in the near term. I appreciate all the crews for their tireless work to keep our community and our roadways safe every day.”
Crews from both DelDOT and DNREC have spent the last several weeks battling erosion conditions in the area, including creating a temporary dune from rocks and sand, as well as adding truckloads of sand to the ocean beach, much of which has been subsequently washed away.
Work has gone on six days a week and crews have monitored the area at every high tide.
Dune stabilization
DelDOT expects to add additional “sheetpile” – sheets of steel installed vertically into the ground to create a wall – in the coming weeks to protect the roadway bed.
DNREC has identified a dredging contractor that can mobilize in late November to undertake a significant renourishment project to restore the beach and dune system.
“While we have been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a longer term solution, it is clear that even a matter of weeks might make a difference this winter, so the state will move forward now on a significant replenishment project to restore the beach and dune,” said Secretary of DNREC Shawn M. Garvin in the press release.
The Delaware congressional delegation is working on future measures and federal funding, he said.
“Use of the beach and parking lot at the north inlet may be restricted in coming months as the work progresses and we appreciate the public’s cooperation.”
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“Delaware Route 1 is critical for daily travel and for emergency vehicle access in the area, so additional steps are merited to protect it,” said Secretary of DelDOT Nicole Majeski. “These measures are necessary to maintain the roadway’s daily operation and hopefully avoid timely and costly repairs from potential breaches,”
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, DNREC will hold a community information session open to the public to provide the history of efforts to maintain the inlet beach area, details about the emergency replenishment work that will happen this winter, and long-term plans as well. The session will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Bethany Beach Town Hall.
Carney said the administration would continue to work with Sens. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, and Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, and Reps. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, and Ronald Gray, R-Selbyville, and other concerned legislators on future plans for the inlet to ensure its protection and restoration.
Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.
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