FENWICK ISLAND, Del. - While parts of Fenwick Island offer sidewalks for pedestrians, large stretches of road remain without any designated walkways—an issue town officials and residents hope to fix.
On Tuesday, the Delaware Department of Transportation unveiled early renderings for a major sidewalk expansion project. The proposal, currently in the community feedback stage, would add sidewalks along Coastal Highway from James Street to Lighthouse Road.
“I walk Fenwick every day, and I usually go down Bunting and then come back Coastal Highway,” said resident Kay Malone. “But, having the sidewalk extend all the way down would just be a lot safer.”
The $3 million project aims to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in a town that sees a significant seasonal population surge. Fenwick Island Mayor Mayor Magdeburger said the influx of visitors in the summer makes walkability a top priority.
“In the summertime, like all of our coastal communities, we balloon,” Magdeburger said. “Walking, riding bikes, pedestrian type of traffic is very, very important. And we want to make sure everybody's as safe as possible.”
DelDOT’s proposed funding would build out the remaining gaps and create a continuous pedestrian route through town.
Currently, parts of Coastal Highway have sidewalks, but other areas force pedestrians to walk along the shoulder or through grass. DelDOT’s proposed funding would build out the remaining gaps and create a continuous pedestrian route through town.
“This is going to be the rest of the sidewalks,” Magdeburger added.
For residents like Malone, the expansion would be a welcome improvement not just for locals, but also for visitors. “I think people staying in the hotel, like walk down to the mats or some of the other businesses—it would be very handy for them to have a sidewalk to walk on,” she said.
If all goes according to plan, construction on the sidewalks will begin in 2028 and be completed by 2029, according to Mayor Magdeburger.