Carper announces $10M for beach project at Indian River Bridge

Delaware Senator Tom Carper has secured $10 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the beach replenishment project north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge, which has seen two dune breaches this year and cut off access to the bridge.

“Maintenance of the north and south shores of the inlet is a critical component of the storm management systems that protect State Route 1 and the bridge from extreme weather and other impacts of climate change. This funding will help Delaware and the Army Corps of Engineers implement a long-term plan to secure the dunes and protect the infrastructure surrounding the Indian River Inlet Bridge,” said Senator Carper. 

Carper also authored provisions that were enacted by the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 that was signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 23, 2022, to directly help the Indian River Inlet.

These provisions are:

• Extend the current period of federal assistance for the operation of the sand bypass plant to 2034. The bill also creates a path to authorize an additional 50 years of assistance, extending federal support for the project to 2084.
• Direct the Army Corps of Engineers to renourish the state beach north of the Indian River Inlet, when the sand bypass plant is not operating or operation is insufficient. This work would be similar to the practice for renourishing other beaches in Delaware.
• Address recreational facility damage caused by a lack of Corps maintenance at the Indian River Inlet by directing the Corps to repair the damaged sidewalk, gazebo and other public facilities.