Post-Hurricane Sandy Beach Erosion Protection

Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the East Coast of the United States in October of 2012 and storm surge along the Delaware shoreline severely eroded the beach for miles, including the beach adjacent to the newly-constructed Charles W. Cullen Bridge, which carries Delaware State Route 1 over the Indian River Inlet. While the storm surge did not damage the bridge, it swept away the sand dunes, leaving the northern approach vulnerable to future storms. If the approach was lost to a storm, the bridge would be unusable, resulting in a very significant and sustained impact to traffic. After the storm, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) assembled a team of engineers and construction contractors to engage in emergency repair services. A temporary sheet pile bulkhead was selected as a solution that could be implemented quickly to reestablish protection for the northern approach. The temporary bulkhead would allow the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) the necessary time to develop plans for long-term beach replenishment.