Rebuilding options for Barren Creek Road remain blocked, county officials announce

Officials are continue to weigh options on reopening Barren Creek Road, which was closed after a July storm.

Part of the road has been completely washed out by rushing water after a privately owned dam was destroyed.

Complicating the situation, Wicomico County officials now say the told the land under and surrounding the road was never owned by the county but instead, by a private citizen.

County Executive Bob Culver says he’s been in discussions with the landowner to see if he’s willing to donate the land in order to get the road repaired; however, intentions remain unclear at this point.

There are at least three options on the table, according to the county:

· Rebuild the dam to current dam safety standards and rebuild the road. Estimated cost: $4 million
· Forgo the dam but install fish passage pipes to allow the water to flow under the road and fish to spawn in the creek. This option wouldn’t restore the pond, but the county could do some wetland restoration. Estimated cost: $500,000 to $750,000
· Make permanent cul-de-sacs on each end of the road and let the natural flow occur as it is today. This option could also include building wetlands in the pond bottom. Estimated cost: $50,000 to $100,000

In a press release, County Executive Culver says “We do what we can with our limited road funding resources. We are looking at all possible alternatives for Barren Creek. We welcome public input and hope we can find a resolution.”

All options require cooperation from the private landowner.