Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach paving projects delayed
Due to unexpected budget increases in unrelated projects, the paving of Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach and the state-owned roads in Dewey Beach will not take place this fall. It’s unclear when the projects will be completed.
The city announced the holdup on its Facebook page Sept. 30. Lynne Coan, city spokesperson, confirmed the announcement Oct. 1.
“We received word from DelDOT yesterday that this project was being delayed at least until the spring or next fall due to DelDOT budget cuts,” said Coan in an email.
No projects are being cut; instead, they are being delayed, said C.R. McLeod, Delaware Department of Transportation spokesperson, in an email Oct. 1. DelDOT made the decision to pause the projects in Rehoboth and Dewey before milling and paving of the roads began, he said, adding that a revised schedule will be shared when plans are finalized.
This is the third time the Rehoboth Avenue paving has been delayed. Originally, it was supposed to take place this time last year, but was pushed to this fall so Americans with Disabilities Act improvements could be figured out. Then, it was supposed to begin mid-September, but was pushed back to Sept. 30 because DelDOT’s contractor wasn’t done working on another paving project on Shuttle Road outside Rehoboth.
The work currently underway on Shuttle Road will be completed, since it is already in progress, McLeod said.
The remainder of Rehoboth’s Facebook post said work is underway on curbing and concrete work for ADA improvements. The concrete work will take place from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning, and is expected to continue through October.
The city provides more information on what work is being done in the current issue of its online newsletter, Lines in the Sand.
“Work is beginning on median islands at State Road and will continue east; then pedestrian connections will be upgraded, working from west to east,” said the update.
DelDOT did not provide details on which projects are costing more than expected. However, McLeod said DelDOT will be sharing more information about its budget outlook Monday, Oct. 21, at the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council meeting.
