LEWES, Del. (WBOC/AP)- The historic Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier will reopen early - and in time for the Labor Day weekend.
Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced Thursday that the popular Lewes fishing locale will open Friday afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Officials had ordered the World War II-era pier closed in October due to engineering concerns about the structural integrity of the pilings that it sits on.
A contractor this week completed $400,000 of repairs, wrapping up the first phase of the pier's latest renovation project. The second phase will include decking replacement and is due to occur in the winter.
Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens said the renovations are a short-term solution for the pier. He said funding has been requested for the planning of a replacement structure.
On a related note, anglers using the pier from the Labor Day weekend forward are reminded that the privately-operated park concession Lighthouse View Bait & Tackle Shop will reopen in the spring of 2016, with anglers advised until then to buy their bait and supplies associated with pier fishing prior to entering Cape Henlopen State Park.
