REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will begin a cleaning and painting project on the Rehoboth Avenue drawbridge on Friday, October 17, as part of a statewide bridge maintenance initiative. The project aims to remove corrosion and apply new protective coatings to extend the life of the bridge, which was last painted in 1996. DelDOT officials said the drawbridge remains structurally sound, but untreated corrosion could lead to reduced service in the future. Work will take place during the daytime, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Temporary lane shifts may be in place, but traffic patterns will be maintained outside working hours. The bike lane will be closed for the duration of the project, requiring bicyclists to use the main travel lane. Because the bridge cannot open while construction is underway, only small boats will be permitted to pass through the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. In addition, the north end of Canal Street will be closed, with DelDOT using the adjacent gravel area for equipment. A detour will be in place, and residents will retain access to their homes. The work is expected to take about two months to complete. Crews will pause operations during the Sea Witch Festival to accommodate increased traffic.
