DNREC, DelDOT to repair Indian River Inlet breach

DEWEY BEACH — For the second time in six months, Del. 1 was washed out north of the Indian River Inlet bridge last weekend.

Forcing closure of the busy road for several hours, it was a situation that convinced leaders to examine a more permanent solution after the hurricane season.

For now, the barriers have been reinforced with riprap and larger pieces of stone. Sand is also being trucked in, to shore up the shoreline, an effort likely to continue for the near future, said Micheal Globetti, media relations manager for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

“Different options exist for more stone to be placed at the most weakened section of the dune, which is a likely location for a potential breach, and it’s a topic that will be evaluated and discussed by senior leadership of both (DNREC and the Delaware Department of Transportation) on the backside of the hurricane season,” he said.

C.R. McLeod, DelDOT’s director of community relations, said DNREC is taking the lead on the operation and deferred to that agency for comment.

It wasn’t merely circumstances that led to the dune system becoming inundated Sunday evening but several factors, Mr. Globetti explained.

“Large riprap rock (had) been placed on the landward side of the dune, aiming to provide structural stability against abnormally increased wave action caused by the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Ernesto — and anticipated storm activity during the hurricane season, along with high tides from a full moon during the lunar cycle,” he added.

Crews began placing the riprap reinforcements Aug. 16, after observing “an excessively high tide,” Mr. Globetti noted. “While DNREC does not typically utilize hardened shoreline remedies, the joint decision was made with DelDOT upon recognizing the immediate urgency of the situation to protect critical highway infrastructure.”

Those efforts will continue for an unknown length of time.

“Sand along with rock material will be arriving continuously during the DNREC-DelDOT dune repair partnership. The immediate goal of the project is to protect critical infrastructure, with a long-term goal of restoring the beach area for recreational use and the functionality of the dune system as quickly as possible,” Mr. Globetti said.

Though the beach area won’t be closed, access to it will be controlled during the repairs.

“DNREC cautions beachgoers that the north side (of the) inlet beach, where the breach has occurred, is an active construction zone and access will be limited throughout the project’s duration, during heavy equipment operation, to ensure the safety of visitors and DNREC staff alike,” Mr. Globetti noted.

As this incident was categorized as a natural event rather than a planned repair, neither agency has websites on its progress.