Rehoboth Avenue set to be repaved after Labor Day

Just in time for summer, Rehoboth Beach is getting its beach replenished. Next year, if everything goes as planned, Rehoboth Avenue will have a fresh surface.

During a commissioner meeting March 17, City Manager Laurence Christian announced Rehoboth Avenue is set to be repaved after the summer season. Staff has begun coordinating with the Delaware Department of Transportation on the scope, he said.

In an email April 3, Rehoboth Beach Public Works Director Kevin Williams said the project is expected to begin soon after Labor Day. The last time Rehoboth Avenue was repaved was when its streetscape project was completed in 2005, he said.

The city has budgeted $600,000 for the project and is responsible for the section from the Boardwalk to Second Street, said Williams.

DelDOT is responsible from Second Street to just east of the drawbridge over the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. Charles “C.R.” McLeod, DelDOT spokesman, said the state is budgeting $1.5 million, which includes several other locations. DelDOT anticipates putting the contract out to bid in late summer 2023, he said, adding the project’s main goal is to improve the condition of the roadway.

There will be ADA improvements as part of the project, but Williams said the specifics are still being developed.

DelDOT is still coordinating ADA features the city would like that are beyond the scope of the project, McLeod said. The city wants to add ADA-accessible parking spots within the state portion of the project, he said.

DelDOT is considering working at night due to potential traffic concerns, said Williams.

Looking forward to special events, Williams said the city is still in the discussion stage at this point. The city has talked about Sea Witch with the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce and, so far, they have been supportive of keeping the event, he said.