UPDATE: Route 1 partially open both directions north of IR bridge

For the second time since March, the northbound lanes of Route 1 were closed after the dune was breached by ocean waters because of a storm. The waves broke through during the evening high tide Aug. 18, with resulting water and sand forcing the closure of Route 1 both north- and southbound overnight. The Delaware Department of Transportation closed Route 1 to northbound traffic at Fred Hudson Road north of Bethany Beach. DelDOT opened the southbound lanes in the early morning hours and the left lane on the north side of the highway about 9:30 a.m., Aug. 19.

C.R. McLeod, DelDOT spokesperson, said agency officials have no concerns about the structural integrity of the bridge.

Unlike the breach in March, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control appears to be using riprap to fortify the dune this time around instead of sand.

Michael Globetti, DNREC spokesperson, could not provide details on the use of riprap or any other information; he said DNREC’s subject matter expert on the riprap and marine debris needed time to come up for air after directing the ongoing repair efforts with DelDOT.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new photos and comments from DelDOT and DNREC.