Rehoboth Beach – The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that Route 1 between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach will remain closed throughout most of the weekend while DelDOT crews monitor conditions tonight and start cleanup efforts tomorrow.
Approximately 75 DelDOT workers have been monitoring conditions across Sussex County since the start of the storm Thursday morning, placing barriers, putting up variable message boards and checking roadways for high water. DelDOT anticipates that this afternoon’s high tide will require Route 1 to remain closed, as water levels may rise again.
Tonight, DelDOT will have a limited crew active to ensure barricades are in place, close roads if conditions warrant, and address any other issues as they arise.
Crews will return to the site early Saturday morning to assess the situation and start cleanup efforts. Crews will need to remove over 3 feet of sand and various debris that has washed up onto Route 1 over the last few days. This material must be moved and the road cleared to a passable condition before it will be reopened to traffic.
Governor Jack Markell visited the area early Friday morning to assess the damage firsthand. This visit followed his announcement of a state of emergency on Thursday evening.
It is important to note that Indian River Inlet Bridge construction site, including all cranes and equipment at the site have been secured, and the storm has not impacted the construction of the new bridge. In addition, the Public Workshop that was scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at the bridge has been postponed. It will be rescheduled for early 2010.
Once the storm event passes, a fathometer survey will be completed on the existing Indian River Inlet Bridge to determine if any additional scouring has occurred around the existing bridge footers.
Motorist should avoid the Route 1 area near the Indian River Inlet Bridge and take Route 26 as an alternate route.
