Purpose of the project
• To provide coastal storm damage reduction and shoreline protection along 2.8 miles of oceanfront in Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach.
Who is involved?
• The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is managing project construction and providing 65 percent of the funding for initial construction and periodic nourishment.
• Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is contributing 35 percent of the initial construction and periodic nourishment costs as the non-Federal sponsor.
• The prime contractor is Weeks Marine, Inc., out of Covington, LA.
Photo: Sand accumulates at Bethany Beach boardwalk via the beach nourishment project
What will it cost?
• Initial project construction cost is approximated at $22.5 million and the estimated cost of periodic nourishment per cycle (approximately every three years) is $5.3 million.
• Total estimated project cost per year for the beachfill and dune system is $3.624 million over the 50-year project life. This cost estimate includes initial construction costs, periodic nourishment, major rehabilitation, and project monitoring over 50 years.
Project overview
• The project will cover a total length of 14,950 feet (2.8 miles).
• Project design: Approximately 3.4 million cubic yards of sand will be pumped from an offshore borrow area to construct a beach and dune system.
• The source of sand for initial construction and subsequent periodic nourishment is a borrow area (Area E) located approximately 2.5 miles east of South Bethany.
• Beach design: Minimum of 150-foot wide beach and 25-foot wide dune crest
• Dune design: Dunes will be constructed with a top elevation of +16.0 feet NAVD.
• Crossovers: Pedestrian, handicap and maintenance vehicle crossovers will be constructed at designated locations.
• Sand fence will be installed and beach grass will be planted on the dunes.
Photo: South Bethany Beach gets "new life" from the nourishment project and beach grass planting (Photo by Lisa Pietro)
Where and when will it happen?
• Initial construction began in September 2007.
Dredging of sand - almost 3.8 million cubic yards - concluded in February 2008.
• Construction started at the southern end of Bethany Beach in the vicinity of Wellington Parkway north to Sussex Shores, then moves south to the northern limits of Sea Colony. Once Bethany Beach is completed, the operation will move to South Bethany Beach.
• To ensure public safety, 1000-foot segments of beach will be closed off as the nourishment progresses, restricting public access to the active construction zone.
Photo: South Bethany Beach from another vista after sand restoration and beachgrass planting (Photo by Lisa Pietro)
