Junction & Breakwater Trail has “bonus” reopening Friday, July 15, before restoration work resumes next week

Map of closure areas.
Map of areas to be closed for repairs.

LEWES – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today that restoration work on portions of the Junction & Breakwater Trail has moved ahead faster than expected, making it possible to reopen repaired segments of the trail Friday, July 15 (with the entire trail remaining open through the weekend), before the work resumes Monday, July 18, closing other parts of the J&B trail through Friday, July 22.

Repairs and renovation of the J&B trail, originally constructed in 2003, began July 11. Nearly two miles of trail surface are being restored on sections lying between Hebron Road, at the south end, and the Holland Glade pedestrian bridge on the north side of the trail. Other smaller segments of the trail will be repaired between the Hawkseye community and the Wolfe Neck parking lot trailhead.

Repairs focus on reconstructing rough exposed rock trail sections, to be resurfaced with stone dust to create a smooth walkable and bikeable tread. Other repairs include eliminating areas of standing water and washouts, and replacing fencing.

DNREC’s contractor on the Junction & Breakwater Trail restoration, George & Lynch Inc., completed the first stage of the project a day early, allowing for the “bonus” reopening. The second stage of restoration spans Monday, July 18 through Friday, July 22, with the entire J&B trail expected to open from July 23.

The Junction & Breakwater Trail and the Gordons Pond Trail are part of a 15-mile regional network linking Lewes and Rehoboth. The Junction & Breakwater Trail between Gills Neck Road and the Hawkseye community will be open continuously. Trail users also are encouraged to use the Gordons Pond Trail for recreational activities while the Junction & Breakwater Trail restoration is in progress.

The trail restoration is a cooperative project between DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and the Federal Recreational Trails Program. For questions on this project and for up-to-date information about it, please contact Susan Moerschel, Trails Program Manager, 302-222-3711, or, Superintendent Paul Faircloth at the Cape Henlopen State Park Office, 302-645-8983.

CONTACT: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 255