Delaware is set to receive $10M in federal funds to repair dune breaches at the Indian River Inlet. State agencies are working on emergency sand replenishment projects to protect the beach and highway before the winter storm season. Senator Carper secured the funding to address ongoing erosion threats in the area.
Photo courtesy of DelDOT
The Aug. 18, 2024, breach at the Indian River inlet north side beach bordering Route 1 northbound;
the breach was the second at that location in the last six months.
Delaware Gov. John Carney announced Sept. 12 that after a pair of breaches this year, as well as several near-breaches of coastal dunes just north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge, two state agencies will be assigned the task of protecting the beach and Delaware Highway 1 before the upcoming winter storm season.
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is slated to add additional metal sheets to the shoreline and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) will perform an emergency sand replenishment project between now and December, Delaware Business Now reported Sept. 19.
Delaware's Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, secured $10 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help pay for the beach replenishment effort.
Each time that storms severely damaged the shore earlier in 2024, access was temporarily cut off to the bridge, and crews moved in to make repairs.
"This area is one of the most visible signs of the increasing effect of storms on our state," Carney said in a press release. "State crews have been engaged in continuous repair work over the last month, but we are still seeing threats to the dunes and the highway at many high tides, so we need to put larger protections into place in the near term. I appreciate all the crews for their tireless work to keep our community and our roadways safe every day."
Crews from both DelDOT and DNREC have spent the last several weeks battling erosion conditions in the area, including creating a temporary dune from rocks and sand, in addition to hauling in truckloads of sand to the Atlantic Ocean shoreline, much of which has subsequently been washed away. Work has gone on six days a week and crews have monitored the area at every high tide.
DelDOT expects to vertically install additional steel sheetpiles into the ground to create a wall in the coming weeks to protect the roadway bed. DNREC has contracted with a dredging company that can mobilize in late November to undertake the needed renourishment work.
"While we have been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] on a longer-term solution, it is clear that even a matter of weeks might make a difference this winter, so the state will move forward now on a significant replenishment project to restore the beach and dune," explained Shawn M. Garvin, secretary of the DNREC. "We appreciate the support from our congressional delegation, especially Senator Carper, in working on future measures and federal funding as we will continue to need that after this action. Use of the beach and parking lot at the north inlet may be restricted in coming months as the work progresses and we appreciate the public's cooperation."
DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski noted, "Delaware Route 1 is critical for daily travel and for emergency vehicle access in the area, so additional steps are merited to protect it. These measures are necessary to maintain the roadway's daily operation and hopefully avoid timely and costly repairs from potential breaches."
All Hands On Deck for Repair Effort
Carney said his administration would continue to work with state Sens. Russ Huxtable and Gerald Hocker, state Reps. Pete Schwartzkopf and Ronald Gray, and other concerned legislators, including Carper, over the next several months on future plans for the inlet to ensure its protection and restoration.
"I am glad to work with our state and federal partners to help secure this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," Carper said in a press release issued by his office. "Maintenance of the north and south shores of the inlet is a critical component of the storm management systems that protect [Del. Highway 1] and the bridge from extreme weather and other impacts of climate change. This funding will help Delaware, and the Army Corps of Engineers implement a long-term plan to secure the dunes and protect the infrastructure surrounding the Indian River Inlet Bridge."
Carper also authored provisions that were enacted by the federal Water Resources Development Act of 2022 and signed into law by President Biden in December 2022 to directly help the Indian River Inlet.
They included:
- Extending the current period of federal assistance for the operation of the sand bypass plant to 2034. The bill also creates a path to authorize an additional 50 years of assistance — extending federal support for the project to 2084.
- Directing the USACE to renourish the state beach north of the Indian River Inlet when the sand bypass plant is not running, or its operation is insufficient. This work would be similar to the practice for renourishing other beaches in Delaware.
- Addressing recreational facility damage caused by a lack of USACE maintenance at the Indian River Inlet by directing the federal agency to repair the damaged sidewalk, gazebo, and other public facilities.
"It's critically important that we strengthen the area around the Indian River Inlet to protect the communities, businesses, and recreation that thrives in the region," Carney said. "I'm grateful to the Army Corps of Engineers and to Senator Carper for securing additional funding to help with this important work. It will make a huge difference."
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