OCEAN CITY — Snow, ice and extremely cold temperatures this week forced the suspension of a handful of significant projects in and around the resort area.
The next phase of Delmarva Power’s ongoing project to rebuild a major transmission line between Berlin and Ocean City was set to begin on Monday, but was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
The phase includes replacing utility poles along major thoroughfares in West Ocean City. The work was set to begin on Monday at the west end of Sunset Ave. at Route 611 and continue east along Sunset Ave. to Golf Course Rd. The work will then head north on Golf Course Rd. to Old Bridge Rd., or Route 707.
However, snow and continued frigid temperatures forced Delmarva Power to move the start date for the next phase of the project to sometime next week, weather permitting of course. In order to maintain a safe distance from the work zone, Delmarva Power will close the westbound lane of Sunset Ave. with lane closure barricades and flaggers with radios and flashing vehicle lights maintaining traffic flow and access to the businesses along the westbound lane.
Motorists who frequent the area should expect some delays during the daytime once the project moves forward. The estimated timeline for the entire phase from Route 611 and Sunset Ave. around to Golf Course Rd. and Old Bridge Rd. is four weeks.
Delmarva Power Media Relations Manager Matt Likovich said this week the work scheduled to start on Monday had been suspended due to the snow and the company hopes to resume work on Sunset Ave. sometime next week. Likovich said overall work on the expansive project has been moving along steadily.
Overall, the $43 million project includes rebuilding the 50-year-old transmission line from Berlin to Ocean City and began in October. Rebuilding the nine-mile transmission line is ultimately intended to increase electric system capacity to handle growth along the corridor and improve the area’s electric reliability.
The work includes replacing roughly 150 wooden poles, each 45 feet to 60 feet tall with 80-90-foot steel poles that are more durable, require less maintenance and can withstand hurricane force winds of 120 miles per hour. The project also includes the installation of a new underwater cable under Isle of Wight Bay between West Ocean City and downtown Ocean City at 2nd Street. The rebuild of the overhead power line is targeted for completion this May, while the underwater cable section is scheduled to be finished by May 2016.
Meanwhile, another project involving the installation of a new water main in downtown Ocean City was also put on hold this week due to the persistent inclement weather. The project was set to begin next week, but the start date has now been moved to the week of March 2.
During the project, the town’s Department of Public Works will be closing the two easternmost southbound lanes of Philadelphia Ave. from 4th Street to 2nd Street. In addition, three southbound lanes from 2nd Street to 1st Street will be closed for the duration of five days. The closures will be in effect 24 hours a day.
Finally, 1st Street between Baltimore Ave. and Philadelphia Ave. will be reduced to just one lane for left-turning traffic only. Weather permitting, the project is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. on March 2.