Desperately needed sidewalks could be on their way to resort town

As you drive through the Town of Fenwick Island you'll notice some stretches along Route One without sidewalks, which the town has attempted to address in the past.  It has announced they may be closing in on plans for construction in the near future. 

Thanks to a new funding partnership between the town and DelDOT, a new study will be conducted to determine the future of sidewalks here along route one in Fenwick Island.

Fenwick town council approved funding for a study to determine an approach that makes sense financially for the town to install a continuous sidewalk along route one from Delaware Avenue to James Street.

Residents say its overdue and will immediately help with pedestrian safety.  And the new sidewalk system will make the town more mobile according to Councilwoman Vicky Carmean, to which, residents agree.

"Oh yes absolutely, because it is a walkable town, but it's just a safety concern," says Mark Bowlen, who has visited Fenwick regularly since 1993.

"I think there's a strong need for them because there's a heavy pedestrian traffic in the summer time.  And people are constantly walking over the roads going on to the beach, or just  walking down to a restaurant," said Steve Carey, who has lived in Fenwick most of his life and has worked at Warren's Station for 37 summers.

We ran into one couple who said it was a selling point when they decided to move in.

"All of this is in walking distance to us and we bought here for that reason, but during season it's really difficult with all the traffic," says a Fenwick resident who identified herself as Robin.

This announcement comes after about 15 years of discussion about new sidewalks.  With the new $14,000 investment brings the total spent on potential sidewalks to over $70,000 over that time.

Town officials are hopeful that construction on new sidewalks along Route One will begin sometime after the tourist season this year.

The town will now wait to hear back from engineers who are conducting the study.

DelDOT will provide consultants for the study, develop project options and coast estimate, and eventually will provide a timeline for a project.

As part of the agreement, the town will only be responsible for one-fifth the cost of the study.