Protecting Coastal Highway: Riprap Added to Strengthen Dune After Storm Damage

On Sunday night, the ocean broke through the dune on the north side of the Indian River Inlet bridge, causing Coastal Highway to close for the second time this year. To strengthen the dune, rocks called riprap are now being used.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control DNREC and the Department of Transportation are working together to stabilize the weakened dune in Delaware Seashore State Park.

According to DNREC spokesperson Michael Globetti, the main goal is to protect important infrastructure. In the long run, they also aim to restore the beach for public use and ensure the dune system works properly again.

Riprap has already been placed on the landward side of the dune to make it more stable against strong waves caused by Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Ernesto. This will also help prepare for high tides during the upcoming full moon and future storms.

While riprap isn’t usually used to strengthen dunes, the state departments decided to do so in this emergency to protect the highway. More riprap might be added in the future, and sand is also being used.

Work on the dune will continue for the foreseeable future, which may cause occasional lane closures on northbound Route 1. Access to the beach near the bridge will be limited during the project.

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