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Lewes BPW infrastructure project on schedule

Old car parts discovered while digging in 1812 Park lot
December 11, 2017

It’s not quite a journey to the center of the earth, but the crew from George & Lynch is well on its way in the 1812 Park parking lot. 

Crews have dug a 20-foot pit in the southeast corner of the lot in order to replace wastewater infrastructure that runs from one side of Savannah Road to the other. 

“I tried to take a picture of it, but you just can’t get the size of it unless you see it in person,” said BPW General Manager Darrin Gordon.

The pit is just one phase of a nearly two-year-long project to upgrade the sewer lines in downtown Lewes and to connect to Sussex County’s wastewater system on Gills Neck Road. The agreement between Lewes BPW and the county will result in 75,000 gallons coming into the BPW's system daily, year round, from the Wolfe Pointe and Showfield communities. An additional 225,000 gallons per day would be added to the system during the winter from other Gills Neck Road communities. Gordon said the BPW’s wastewater treatment facility is more than capable of treating the additional wastewater. 

Gordon said the project remains on schedule, and he expects the George & Lynch crew to be finished working in 1812 Park in mid-December. Work is underway to place a new 18-inch wastewater pipe under Savannah Road. To do so, crews must drill laterally under the surface to a receiving pit near the Dogfish Inn. The pipe will connect to the pump station near the canal drawbridge. 

The next phase will involve tearing up Front Street in 150-foot segments to extend the 18-inch sewer pipe from Savannah Road to Market Street. That work is expected to continue into March. 

The project is estimated to cost $3.2 million. 

Car parts found

While digging in the colossal cavity in the parking lot at 1812 Park, crews with George & Lynch discovered several pieces of an old automobile. The parts are too rusty and eroded to identify the make, model or year of the car, but the crew was clearly able to recognize its frame, a wheel, and a car jack. Crews also found what is believed to be an old water heater. 

Gordon said he suspects the corner of Savannah Road and Front Street at some point may have been a dumping ground.

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