Lewes canal dredging complete

The five-month-long dredging of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal wrapped up during the week of Feb. 12.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District spokesman Steve Rochette said demobilization was underway Feb. 20. A large crane was brought in to remove the dredging equipment at Roosevelt Inlet.

The canal was dredged from the inlet to just south of the Freeman Highway bridge.

Crews from Houston-based contractor Dredgeit were expected to move 40,000 cubic yards of sediment to a disposal area between the canal and Cedar Street.

The project was scheduled to be finished at the end of December, but crews experienced mechanical issues that slowed the work.

Rochette said the final cost was $1.8 million.

The canal dredging is among $50 million in improvements the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is making to Delaware’s ports and waterways.

At the Feb. 12 Lewes Mayor and City Council meeting, Acting City Manager Ellen Lorraine McCabe reported the city was unable to dredge the Canalfront Park boat slips using the equipment that was there for the canal dredging. She said the city will complete the dredging of Canalfront Park slips this fall.