Sidewalk near Indian River bridge closed indefinitely

In conjunction with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Parks & Recreation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced May 8 a 120-foot section of bulkhead at the Indian River Inlet within the Delaware Seashore State Park has been closed indefinitely.

The section of the closed sidewalk is on the north side of the inlet, almost underneath, but immediately west of the bridge. A press release said significant erosion has undermined the safety of the sidewalk and adjacent capstones, requiring closure of that section for safety reasons.

The section has been closed off since 2018 with temporary fencing and signage, but according to the press release, the condition of the site has gotten worse.

According to the press release, the Army Corps has conducted hydrographic surveys of the site that indicate a partial slope collapse beneath the water line, likely the result of a deep hole close to the shoreline and strong tidal currents. The Army Corps is also coordinating with DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation on drainage problems at the location.

Army Corps spokesman Stephen Rochette said the issue will not affect the structural integrity of the bridge. In terms of the length of the closure, he said, the Army Corps is investigating potential long-term fixes; the fix and the length of the closure depend on the feasibility of the solutions and the availability of federal funding.

The Army Corps erected a chain-link fence and posted signage near the closed sidewalk, and will continue to monitor the site. Pedestrians and visitors may still access the sidewalk on either side of the restricted section.