May 26, 2009

Markell: DelDOT Delivering Recovery Act Projects as Promised

Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk project plans released

REHOBOTH BEACH -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the City of Rehoboth Beach announce that bids are being accepted for the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Reconstruction Project, another indicator that DelDOT is on target to spend its allocation of funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The total length of the Boardwalk project is 4,143 feet, and will include the southern portion from Prospect Street to Laurel Street, the northern-most portion from Maryland Avenue to Surfside Place, and at the commercial district from Rehoboth Avenue to Maryland Avenue. The project invests in economic infrastructure, which supports tourism, a major economic driver for Delaware.

This is the largest project bid to date that will receive ARRA transportation funding. Of Recovery Act projects, DelDOT has completed one, has five others under construction, awarded five projects, and advertised five others. Several other projects are in various phases of pre-construction from archeology work to design. To date, this work is creating or sustaining close to 200 jobs. DelDOT will deliver all projects within the deadlines imposed by the Recovery Act.

"Delaware is using the funding from the federal economic recovery package to get Delawareans back to work and improve our infrastructure for years to come," Governor. Markell said. "A new Boardwalk makes the nation's Summer Capital even more attractive to visitors and helps nearby businesses and the workers they employ."

DelDOT Secretary Carolann Wicks said, "This is one more transportation project that is generating jobs. Already, we are hearing from contractors that they have been able to move their workers from the unemployment lines to the work lines."

Rehoboth Beach Mayor Sam Cooper said without ARRA funding, these phases of the Boardwalk renovation would not be possible. "I couldn't see the City being able to fund this given the economic climate we are in. This is not only important to the City, but to all of Coastal Delaware and the tourism industry. A new, sturdy and safe Boardwalk will leave visitors with a positive impression of this area and helps ensure they return for more."

Stan Mills, Chairman of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Committee, said, "I thank all our local, state, and federal officials that looked favorably on the City receiving stimulus funds as this allows us to complete reconstruction of the entire mile-long Boardwalk in just one more season with the least disruption to our community compared to the likelihood of multiple phases over multiple years as funding would allow."

The Boardwalk project will include a major reconstruction, utilizing auger cast in place piles, cast in place concrete girder beams, Southern Yellow Pine stringers, and Southern Yellow Pine decking. The existing metal and wood light poles will be replaced with fiberglass composite poles, with the exception of four steel light poles which will be located north of Rehoboth Avenue to carry lighting for the City's summer night recreation program. Foot showers, drinking fountains, bench platforms, and bike parking areas will also be included in the scope of work, as will the rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of three pavilions.

The expected start date is early September 2009 beginning at the southernmost section at Prospect Avenue. Rehoboth Avenue north will not begin before October 27, 2009. All work from Prospect Street to Laurel Street is to be completed by December 24, 2009. The work at Rehoboth Avenue is to be completed by February 5, 2010. The work from Rehoboth Avenue to Maryland Avenue is to be completed by April 2, 2010, with the balance of the project completed by May 15, 2010.

As part of ARRA requirements, DelDOT must ensure the various federal reporting requirements are being satisfied, while the City is managing the construction and the bidding process. The Boardwalk project went through a public process after it was announced as a possible project to be funded through the ARRA in February. The project met the federal criteria for funding because it serves as not only a pedestrian accessible walkway but enhances tourism, which is a significant economic engine for the state, and creates jobs.

Interested Contractors for the Boardwalk project may purchase a copy of the Contract Documents for $225 during normal working hours starting Friday, May 22, 2009, at the Office of the City Manager, Municipal Building, 229 Rehoboth Avenue, P.O. Box 1163, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971. Sealed bids will be received by the City Manager until 2 p.m., on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

DelDOT's $140.9 million ARRA projects range from big-ticket items, such as the additional highway-speed E-ZPass lanes at the I-95 Toll Plaza and more than $25 million worth of paving and rehabilitation work statewide, to safety projects such as traffic signal projects, guardrail replacement and bridge maintenance. Funding is being targeted not just for traditional road projects, but also for transit projects such as the first phase of a new Dover Transit Center, upgraded park-and-ride facilities and new rail cars and buses. The project list also includes money for raising South Market Street in Wilmington out of the flood plain and funding to refurbish the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, both designed to enhance economic opportunities in those areas.

Fifty percent of the funding for highway projects must be ready to advertise in 120 days (June 29, 2009) and 50 percent within one year (February 2010). Fifty percent of the funding for transit projects must be ready to advertise in 180 days (August 2009) and 50 percent within one year (February 2010).

Delaware's U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman said Delaware's transportation projects will meet a variety of transportation needs while creating and sustaining jobs. Both Senators voted for the ARRA, knowing it would help Delaware in everything from schools to healthcare to transportation infrastructure. The Senators said the transportation projects identified are creating and sustaining jobs, and that Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Secretary Carolann Wicks are to be commended for finding projects that support a wide range of transportation needs including road construction, congestion relief, economic development, public transportation and bicycle and pedestrian paths.

Details on all the proposed projects can be found on DelDOT's Web site at www.deldot.gov, under the "Recovery Projects" tab. Governor Markell is committed to keeping the public as up to date as possible regarding project progress, how funding is being spent, the number of jobs generated and the contractors who win the bids. The DelDOT Web site, www.deldot.gov, and the state Web site, www.recovery.delaware.gov will continue to be the focal point for this and more information.