The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District received funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for repairs at the Indian River Inlet in Sussex County, Delaware. USACE awarded a contract to Agate Construction Co., Inc. of Egg Harbor Township, N.J. for $5.3 million to repair a portion of bulkhead and to sand-tighten a portion of the south jetty at Indian River Inlet in Sussex County, DE.
The contract calls for the repair of a failed section of bulkhead/revetment along the interior north shoreline of the Indian River Inlet. A deep scour hole caused by swift tidal currents within the inlet has undermined the slope of the “stabilized” shoreline and landward infrastructure. Additionally, the contract calls for sand tightening a 215-foot section of the south jetty. This work will involve installing steel sheet piling to reduce the amount of sand migrating into the inlet.
USACE continues to conduct geotechnical and structural analyses for repair work on the north jetty. This has not been awarded as part of a contract.
USACE is coordinating with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the contractor on vehicular/pedestrian/trailer access to the inlet area at Delaware Seashore State Park, staging areas, and other site-related issues. DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Park operations will be affected for the duration of this project.
Construction (including driving of steel sheet piles) is ongoing.
- Safety is the top priority for USACE. Agate Construction Company has fenced off the work area and installed signage. USACE is asking all to abide by the signage and stay out of the work area.
- Agate Construction Company anticipates active construction will take place Monday through Thursday from about 6:30/7:30 a.m. to 5:00/5:30 p.m. This may vary slightly based on deliveries and activities. Additionally, some work may take place on certain Fridays depending on activities/schedule.
- There will be significant noise associated with driving steel sheet piles and the dumping of rock. Agate Construction Company will be working with seismic monitors to ensure vibrations remain below standard industry thresholds