LED retrofit of Rehoboth Avenue median lights delayed to fall

The LED retrofit of street lights in the median of Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach is likely to be delayed until the fall.

Interim City Manager Evan Miller made the announcement as part of his city manager’s report during a commissioner meeting March 15. The arms received do not match the existing arms and don’t attach to the poles correctly, he said.

“The correct arms were specified to the contractor and the contractor is working to correct this problem expeditiously,” said Miller. “Mostly likely, installation will not occur until after the summer season.”

Commissioners awarded an installation contract for just under $84,000 in September. The contract includes replacement of the arms, light fixtures and bulbs. There are 33 doubles and four singles.

The Rehoboth Avenue median lights are the first phase of a three-phase conservation project. The other phases include the sidewalk lights on Rehoboth Avenue and the lights on the Boardwalk.

State Road sidewalk installed

Following the installation of new crosswalks at the intersection with Grove and Munson streets last year, State Road pedestrians will enjoy another safety improvement this year.

Miller said the installation of about 850 feet of sidewalk on State Road is all but completed.

The new sidewalk was a state transportation project that connected the existing sidewalk at the State Road intersection with Roosevelt Street, east to the intersection with Stockley Street Extension. The cost of the project was about $364,000 and entirely funded by the state.

Fire hydrants to be flushed

During the week of April 8, the city’s water department will flush ocean-block fire hydrants across the city. The tentative schedule is to flush the hydrants from Wilmington Avenue to Laurel Street Monday, April 8; from New Castle Street to Prospect Street Tuesday, April 9; and from Maryland Avenue to Grenoble Place Wednesday, April 10.

The flushing helps ensure water quality and removes mineral deposits in the pipes, Miller said. Customers may experience low water pressure and discoloration, which means washing machines or dishwashers should not be used the day of flushing on a customer’s street, he said.

“If your water is discolored, simply run the cold water from an outside spigot or the bathtub until it clears,” said Miller.

Trash services and bulk pickup

Twice-a-week trash services resume the week of Monday, April 15, said Miller.

The city’s annual bulk pickup will take place on the south side the week of Monday, April 29, and on the north side the week of Monday, May 6, said Miller. South side pickup does include the Schoolvue neighborhood and Scarborough Avenue, he said.