Two repair projects coming for Indian River Inlet

Long-awaited improvements to the pedestrian walkway on the north side of Indian River Inlet are coming.

A significant portion of the walkway on the north side of the inlet has been closed for at least four years. In December, the project received funding in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued a public notice March 1 related to repairs, which not only includes the walkway, but also repairs to the northside jetty and a small amount of sand tightening on the south side of the inlet.

Steve Rochette, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District spokesperson, said a contract hasn’t been awarded yet, but work is anticipated to begin in the fall. The schedule is finalized, but it’s likely work for the three areas will end prior to summer of 2025, he said.

Construction costs are unknown at this time, said Rochette. 

However, he said, the project received $43.8 million for the repairs and a sediment budget study in the bipartisan infrastructure law.

According to the application, plans call for demolition of the pavilion, but it doesn’t specify if that means the small fishing pier that protrudes into the river from the walkway or the shade-producing structure that’s between the walkway and the parking lot.

Both areas will be impacted during construction, and the Army Corps is working with Delaware State Parks on those issues, but they don’t have anything firm to share beyond that, said Rochette.

The expected lifespan of the project is unknown.

The inlet has strong tidal currents and deep scour holes, so it’s a challenging project from a design and construction standpoint, said Rochette.

“Our team is designing the repairs with those issues in mind. In a dynamic coastal environment, there’s not necessarily a set time period we can provide as it would depend on many factors,” said Rochette.

The application is available for review under the public notice section of the administrative law tab of the DNREC website. Questions and concerns are due to Delaware Coastal Programs by Tuesday, March 21, and can be made by emailing DNREC_DCP_PublicComment@delaware.gov or by calling 302-739-9283.

Coast Guard station getting a new bulkhead

The walkway and jetty aren’t the only things being repaired at the inlet. The Coast Guard station, which is adjacent to the walkway, is getting a new bulkhead.

According to a notice issued Feb. 19, the Coast Guard proposes to repair about 1,100 feet of the waterfront bulkhead and replace the north and south floating docks at the station. 

The notice says the project will comprise demolition and replacement of the timber fender system, cleaning the sheet pile, new concrete caps, a cathodic protection system along the bulkhead, and replacement of two floating docks and associated piles.

The application also calls for new gas tanks, loading docks in the boat basin and the creation of a drainage swale for current parking lot ponding.

There will be no coastal effects and the work is part of required maintenance, says the application.

This application is also available for review under the public notice section of the administrative law tab of the DNREC website. However, questions and concerns are due to Delaware Coastal Programs by Friday, March 10. They can be made by emailing DNREC_DCP_PublicComment@delaware.gov or by calling 302-739-9283.