Army Corps updates beach replenishment timeline and sand totals

We have learned exciting news that the beach nourishment project is to be completed earlier than expected, as work in Rehoboth Beach has been ongoing since late April!  Now that marine construction company, Weeks Marine, is adding a third dredge to the replenishment schedule, the Army Corps of Engineers has updated the timeline and portions of sand other coastal towns will be acquiring in the upcoming weeks:

(Chris Flood, 2023, 'With two lines going, it takes a team to spread out the sand.' Cape Gazette.)

In Dewey Beach, Weeks Marine will begin work after Rehoboth's completion and is expected to be completed in early June. Nearly 195,000 cubic yards of sand will be added to the beach between Saulsbury St and Beach Ave to the south. A pipe landing was made between Read Ave and Rodney Ave. Similar to Rehoboth, work will move north from the pipe landing toward Saulsbury Street first, then flip and go south toward Beach Avenue.

In Fenwick Island, the construction schedule has been moved up due to the third dredge, which is set to begin mid-May. Construction should start shortly after and be wrapped up by early June. A pipe landing will be constructed between Dagsboro and Cannon streets, and about 207,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed from James Street south to Lighthouse Road. Work will go north to south.

Construction in South Bethany will take place after Fenwick Island and is estimated to take place between late May and mid- to late June. Around 320,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed from North 5th Street south to the north end of Fenwick Island State Park. A pipe landing will be made between South 2nd and South 3rd streets. Work will go north to south.

In Bethany Beach, construction will follow either Dewey or South Bethany; whichever location is finished first. Construction is estimated to start in early June and end in late June. About 320,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed from 3rd Street south to Wellington Park. A pipe landing will be made between North 1st and Division streets. Work will go north to south.

When it comes to staging and moving equipment, the Army Corps said Weeks Marine will utilize the parking lot at Fenwick Island State Park to transport equipment onto the beach. This will end by about Monday, May 8. After beach fill operations cease in Fenwick Island, beachside equipment will be transported from Fenwick Island to South Bethany.

Equipment will be transported for about three days during off-peak hours with a spotter. Equipment will not be moved over Memorial Day weekend. Dates are estimates subject to change based on weather, equipment issues and overall dredging progress.

Flood, Chris. 'Army Corps updates beach replenishment timeline, sand totals' Cape Gazette. May 7th 2023.