Dewey stormwater repair project set to begin
A major stormwater pipe reline and reconstruction project is set to begin in Dewey Beach.
Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 21 to approve the worst-case scenario cost estimate of $478,000 for the project plus an additional $69,800 in engineering fees and services to Remington & Vernick Engineers.
Work will begin first on areas of Bayard Avenue bayside and Coastal Highway, both of which likely need only to be relined at an estimated cost of $125,000, engineer Kevin Zelinsky said.
McKinley Avenue bayside repairs will be the most expensive, Zelinsky said, because most pipes were inaccessible, and likely require complete removal and replacement. Attempts will be made to clean and inspect the pipes, which may determine less-costly repairs are needed.
Commissioners will approve spending additional funds up to a total of $478,000 to complete work on McKinley.
The town infrastructure fund will pay for the project; Mayor Bill Stevens said the town currently has $657,000 in the infrastructure fund.
Commissioner Gary Persinger said $220,000 was added to the infrastructure account at the end of December. The account has a regular flow of money going into it, Persinger said, so it makes sense to allocate funds to the project.
The infrastructure account is funded by 3 percent of the transfer tax revenue, 20 percent of the building permit revenue and 5 percent of daily and seasonal parking fees, Persinger said.
Town Manager Bill Zolper said a start date for the project had not yet been set as of Jan. 25, but he would like to have everything completed before Easter, which is Sunday, April 17.
