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Coastal Highway Medians thru Middlesex Beach
Mid-December 2011 Update The Center for Inland Bays sponsored a project in the portions of Coastal Highway that pass thru Middlesex Beach and South Bethany. (Click here for background information on this project.) According to specifications developed by the consultants JMT, in October 2011, the contractor (Bramble Construction) removed the concrete aprons around each median storm drain, then lowered the ground around each one. There are a total of 19 drains along this stretch of road- 5 in Middlesex Beach; 12 in South Bethany, and 2 that are just north of us. About 6-12" of fill removed from the bottom, and the slopes were constructed according to DelDOT standards. Sod was then placed on the new slopes. As a side benefit of this portion of the project, MBA received ALL the excess fill dirt-an estimated 30+ truckloads, which we will use on upcoming drainage work. After Bramble did the major construction, trees picked by each community were planted, and the areas mulched. Much of the funding for the trees being planted on state property comes from the Delaware Urban Forestry Division and need to be in the ground before the end of October. In Middlesex, the Beautification Committee decided to install plantings on the middle 3 storm drains. The one at the south end (in front of McDonald's) is quite long and narrow compared to the others and was resodded. The one at the north end is quite close to the existing median sign, and will also resodded. On the other three areas, we did have concerns about the sightlines for traffic and pedestrians at Bridge Road. The plantings more than meet DelDOT standards for sightlines, distance from intersections and crash-worthiness), and we also considered the heights of the blossoms and leaves on the crepe myrtles. After parking Herman at several spots near the closest storm drains to give us a reference height, we determined that plantings that far back from the intersection would not obstruct the view. Sposato Landscaping installed three groupings of crepe myrtles and mulch. Lower perennials, which should absorb much of the water, will be planted in the three areas next spring. In South Bethany, 2 of the drains will not be touched because there are some underground utilities that are in the way, and the cost of moving them was deemed prohibitive. All other areas in South Bethany's part of the median were planted wth a variety of trees. Click HERE for a writeup on South Bethany's website of their portion of this project. |