Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier in need of structural repairs

For the second time in five years, the fishing pier in Cape Henlopen State park is in need of structural repairs.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control solicited an invitation to bid Dec. 1 on repairs to 25 of the pier’s pilings using concrete-filled, fiberglass-constructed sheaths. The bid submission deadline for contractors was Dec. 23.

The pier is made of wood and dates back to World War II. In 2012, the T-head portion of the structure was demolished because it was crumbling into Delaware Bay.

Over the years there have been several rehabilitation efforts on the section that has remained open for public use. Most recently, the pier was closed for almost all of 2015 and a significant portion of 2016; during that time, 125 pilings were repaired and a new deck was put on. That project cost $1.2 million to complete.

At the time, DNREC officials said the concrete sleeves weren't a permanent fix for the pier. Five years later, it doesn’t appear state officials have much of an appetite to find one.

In an email Dec. 2, Shauna McVay, DNREC spokesperson, said there is no approved funding for the planning or construction of a new fishing pier at this time. The current cost estimate for a new fishing pier is $18 million, she said, and DNREC is requesting $1.5 million in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget to begin planning.

McVey said the work is for repairs necessary to keep the pier open to the public. It’s difficult to anticipate the expected life of the pier, she said.

The life span of the pile jackets themselves is anticipated to be 20 years, said McVey. However, she continued, the pier is still susceptible to significant damage from storms and ice.

McVey said work is dependent on water temperature and the pier is expected to be closed during construction. In a normal year, work should begin in March and be completed before Memorial Day, she said.

“If for some reason the project pushes into the summer, we will work with the contractor to find options for opening portions of the pier,” said McVey.

McVey declined to disclose the budget for this project while it is out for bid because, she said, that could influence bid amounts.