Rehoboth Avenue repaving in progress

After a year-long delay, the months-long paving of Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach began Sept. 30.

The scope of the project runs from just east of the drawbridge going over the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal all the way to the Boardwalk.

The Delaware Department of Transportation is overseeing the whole project, but the city is paying for the section that runs from the Boardwalk to Second Street. DelDOT is paying for the rest.

The contractor will begin at the drawbridge, head east, loop around the Bandstand bathrooms and then work west.

In addition to the paving, which entails milling the top few inches of the existing roadway before laying down a new surface, there will be ADA improvements made along the city’s most-used street.

The anticipated timeline to complete the work on Rehoboth Avenue is two to three months, depending on weather.

Previously, the city said work would take place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.; however, it will now take place from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Lynne Coan, city spokesperson, said the reason for the change to the working window is due to the concrete company not wanting to remain open overnight for the project because the concrete needed for this project on a daily basis is relatively small. Pours have been scheduled in the early morning hours, and the work time needed to be adjusted, she said, adding the city thinks the new time may work better for businesses.

The months-long time frame means the project will still be underway during the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce’s annual Sea Witch Festival, which is scheduled for the weekend of Friday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 27. Officials have said work will not take place that weekend.

For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.