Park Road opening delayed

Residents and vacationers seeking easier access to the Lewes boat ramp off Pilottown Road will have to wait still longer for Park Road to open.

The half-mile road near the University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Atmosphere Campus connects New Road and Pilottown Road. The new roadway, replacing a winding road in poor condition, will offer two, 11-foot travel lanes with a 4-foot pedestrian/bicycle path.

The $1.8 million project was scheduled to be completed in the spring, but winter weather and scheduling conflicts have delayed the opening, said Matt Chesser, a Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control administrator.

Work is now expected to be completed by Sunday, Aug. 24, he said. The project is coordinated by DNREC's Division of Parks and Recreation.

Chesser said a drainage pipe under the road in a wetlands area has not yet been repaired, and a railing must be installed. Chesser said there is a chance the road could be open to traffic after repairs to the pipe, which should be finished in about three weeks. A decision to open the road will be made at that time. All paving is completed.

The road has not yet been striped and land along the road will be seeded in September.