Rehoboth Boardwalk needs replacements ASAP

There is work in progress to ensure the preservation of one of Delaware's most visited destinations.

Members of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Committee are close to recommending approval of an engineering contract that would pave the way for boardwalk improvements that could exceed $1 million.

After seeing how many areas of the upper boards were in need of replacement, City Commissioner Stan Mills, a member of the Boardwalk Committee, said he thought the substructure should also be examined.

An evaluation of the boardwalk in January revealed large portions of the boardwalk are in need of replacement.

"(The pilings)date back to 1962 or earlier," Mills said. "It's held up, but the structure is nearing the end of its life expectancy."

The plan for the boardwalk is to replace the structure in four different phases, the first of which is hoped to begin in November and carry through mid-May of 2009. The first phase is planned to reconstruct the boardwalk between Rehoboth Avenue and Laurel Avenue - a distance of four blocks.

While the boardwalk has dealt with its share of vehicular and pedestrian traffic over the decades creating wear and tear on the substructure, Mills said there is no cause for concern that the structure could fail.

"It's not a safety concern," Mills said. "But we do need to reduce the vehicular loads. The entire boardwalk does need total replacement as soon as possible."

source: delmarvanow.com