Dewey stormwater drainage project given go-ahead

Dewey Beach commissioners voted unanimously May 14 to release $201,000 in infrastructure funds to repair stormwater infrastructure on Bayard and Read avenues.

The move follows a February presentation by Remington and Vernick Engineers and subsequent approval by the town infrastructure committee, and is long overdue, Mayor Dale Cooke said.

Engineers had assessed infrastructure on Rodney, Read and McKinley avenues from Route 1 to Rehoboth Bay, and from Swedes to Bellevue streets bayside along Bayard Avenue. They found most pipes need to be relined and remaining pipes must be replaced due to broken, corroded or collapsed structures.

Several areas could not be assessed because they were too deteriorated to inspect or were filled with water. Pipes in need of relining were prioritized for work before their conditions deteriorate; relining pipes is much cheaper than removing and replacing them, engineers said.

Bayard Avenue repairs will cost $48,000 and Read Avenue repairs will cost $154,000. 

Commissioner Gary Persinger said the appropriate expenditure was a good example of why the town sets aside funds into an infrastructure account every month.

Work will begin after Memorial Day and conclude about June 15, Town Manager Bill Zolper said.