Senator Carper Announces $10 million for Beach Project at Indian River Bridge

Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee in the Senate, announced that he 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.

“I am glad to work with our state and federal partners to help secure this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Senator Carper. “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.”

Sen. 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:

• 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.

Last week, Governor John Carney announced the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will perform emergency repairs to strengthen the dunes.

“It’s critically important that we strengthen the area around the Indian River Inlet to protect the communities, businesses, and recreation that thrives in the region,” said Governor Carney. “The state invested last week to start the work, but today’s announcement is an important next step in sustaining the project. I’m grateful to the Army Corps of Engineers and to Senator Carper for securing additional funding to help with this important work. It will make a huge difference.”

“This $10 million federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support our ongoing efforts to protect the coastline north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Since the latest dune breach, our DNREC employees have been tirelessly working to rebuild dunes, add sand and remove debris. While the state is moving forward now with a significant replenishment project, this federal funding, combined with state funding, will help us continue these emergency efforts and ensure the long-term resilience of our beaches. We appreciate the support from our congressional delegation, especially U.S. Senator Carper, as we will continue to rely on federal assistance for future measures.”

“Delaware’s world class beaches aren’t just beautiful – they serve an important role for the nation’s lowest-lying state in combatting some of the most impactful natural disasters fueled by climate change,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons, Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. “I’m proud to have worked with the delegation to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which provided the funding that will help restore and improve the area surrounding the Indian River Inlet Bridge so we can keep our infrastructure safe and intact in the face of growing challenges.”

“The recent dune breaches near the Indian River Inlet Bridge underscore why this investment is so critical for Delaware,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware’s infrastructure continues to face ongoing challenges from the climate crisis. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Carper and Senator Coons to build on our efforts from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure that our state has the resources it needs to be resilient against extreme weather.”

“I’m pleased to work with Senator Carper, my colleagues in Delaware and DNREC to protect and restore the Indian River Inlet,” said State Senator Russ Huxtable. “My office and those of State Senator Hocker, State Representative Schwartzkopf and State Representative Gray will continue to work together to secure any additional state funding needed and we look forward to a continued partnership between the state and federal governments to protect our beaches and public infrastructure.”