Fenwick Island News

Paddle boarding is a healthy and fun activity for the entire family. The successful bidder will experience the beauty of the shoreline while enjoying the sunset overlooking the bay.

The traffic pattern on Del. 54 has switched to the eastbound side of the road west of Fenwick Island as an $8 million improvement project moves into its third phase. Construction extends from the intersection of Del. 20 east to the Mallard Lakes housing development. According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, the switch allows for work to begin on the westbound side of the road. Phase 3 work includes removal of the existing shoulder and placement of underdrain, electrical conduit, new curbing, sidewalks and new pavement to ultimately widen the roadway. Intermittent lane closures will occur during this phase, but it's anticipated most work will be performed on the shoulder, allowing two lanes of traffic, said DelDOT spokesman Jason Lang. Last summer, many business owners reported financial losses because of the daytime construction, which closed one lane of the two-lane road from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It wasn't until August that road work moved to nighttime, following a meeting including DelDOT representatives, business owners and elected officials. Smitty McGee's owner Dawn McGee said while she is trying to be positive about the continued construction, it's been hard. Last year was the worst summer for her restaurant in 23 years, she said. Not knowing exactly when the work will be completed has made planning for this summer difficult because you have to hire in advance. She doesn't want to have to lay people off again this year, she said. 'The damage has already been done,' McGee said. 'People have already decided not to come up Route 54.' Many people have also been displeased with the condition of the roadway, which has bumps and dips caused by the construction. Mio Fratello owner Bryan Keith said that's one reason he's excited about the switch. Not only will the ride be smoother because the westbound side has been paved, but it also brings motorists closer to his restaurant. 'This is a positive move,' he said. 'It's one step closer to seeing how nice this project is going to be when it's done.' The initiative aims to improve the safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. The improvements include 6-foot-wide bike lanes and 5-foot-wide sidewalks. Kim Hook, who lives along the thoroughfare, said the Del. 54 corridor has been 'a nightmare.' She said the trouble stems from inconsistencies -- sometimes there's traffic on the weekend, other times crews are working overnight -- meaning she always has to guess what's going on. Lately, the weekend work has created more of a backup, which impacts businesses the most because at this time of year, weekends are when they've traditionally made the most money, she said. 'It's dramatically affecting the area,' Hook said. 'It's certainly impacted us all.'

Brandywine Assisted Living, located on Route 54 in Fenwick Island, will host a Bags 'n Buckles Benefit Chocolate Party from 1-3 p.m. Feb.

FENWICK ISLAND, Del. - Well your daily commute on route 54 may get a little longer starting next week.

The National Marine Fisheries Service announced today that it will list the Atlantic sturgeon in the Delaware River as an endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Wow, why is it that some years in January you put on your snow boots and mittens and dash outside... FENWICK ISLAND -- If you're craving Mexican food, Matteo's Salsa Loco Restaurant & Cantina offers several weekly specials that are sure to please.

For the more than 36 million Americans who will turn 65 in the coming decade, the best cities and towns to retire in now have a much higher bar to clear: They can't just be great places -- they have to be affordable.

Pipes, backhoes, loaders, trucks, bulldozers and one Coastal Research Amphibious Buggy have been moving rapidly up the coast, with crews now on the north end of Rehoboth Avenue as they make their way to their strategic objective just beyond the Henlopen Hotel.

Hilda Blood of Fenwick Island was having good luck playing slots at the Casino at Ocean Downs.

Beach replenishment has started at Rehoboth Beach, with sand being pumped ashore from barges.