Rehoboth Beach begins work on $1.3 million bollard project
In advance of installing nearly 70 bollards around the Bandstand and Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach workers have begun removing brick pavers on the sidewalk at the Boardwalk end of Rehoboth Avenue.
The city announced work had begun March 11, with the installation of a fence around the project area. The bollard work is expected to begin the week of March 16 and is slated to be completed by mid-May.
After a year of discussion in executive session, the city announced in October it was moving forward with a multi-phase pedestrian security project. The first phase of the project includes the installation of nearly 70 bollards – short, vertical posts used to block off areas and control traffic – and two swing gates in the area around the Bandstand and Boardwalk.
At the time, the city estimated the cost of the first phase to be $1.1 million. A month later, the estimated cost of the project increased by $200,000 due to brick work needed after the bollards and swing gates are installed.
During the discussion of the project last fall, the city said there are at least five phases. In addition to the Bandstand and Boardwalk areas, the city is preparing to install security measures at the Boardwalk end of Queen Street, Brooklyn Avenue, Virginia Avenue, Surfside Place and Grenoble Place.
Brooke Thaler, city communications manager, said March 12 the city is planning to present more information on the additional phases in April.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
