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A planned bridge rehabilitation project on Route 20 has sparked concern among the owners of Bennett Orchards.

FRANKFORD, Del. — The Delaware Department of Transportation has revised the closure dates for a bridge rehabilitation project on Route 20, a change that could ease concerns for local businesses, including Bennett Orchards.

Armory Road/Route 20 between Dukes Road and Omar Road will now be closed from Monday, Feb. 24, until May 16, 2025. The project includes replacing steel strips and slabs, milling and overlaying the concrete deck, repairing the underside of the deck and substructure, and cleaning and painting the structural steel.

Hail Bennett, of Bennett Orchards, previously voiced concerns about the original timeline, which extended into mid-July, a crucial period for their pick-your-own peach and blueberry season. With the new completion date in May, Bennett says the adjustment is a welcome relief.

The closure still presents challenges for the broader community, including Indian River High School, located just a mile away.

DelDOT says detours will be in place throughout the project. 

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Evening Broadcast Journalist

Madeleine has been with Draper Media since 2016, when she first worked as Sussex County Bureau Chief. She helped launch the rebranded CoastTV in 2019. As co-anchor of CoastTV News at 5 and 6, Maddie helps organize the evening newscasts and performs managerial responsibilities such as helping find and assign stories, approving scripts, and making content decisions.

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