By Glenn Rolfe

BRIDGEVILLE — The one-year observance of the deadly April 1, 2023, tornado that carved a destructive path across northwestern Sussex County is approaching.

Destroyed by the powerful EF-3 tornado was the Delaware Department of Transportation’s Bridgeville Area 2 Yard Maintenance Shop, as well as equipment that was damaged or destroyed.

Just over 11 months later, March 19 was the scheduled bid date for the construction project that includes a 4-bay maintenance shop, utility connections and site work.

“We are rebuilding at the same location, and only significant change is that we are increasing the size of the garage from two bays to four to meet our current operational needs/standards,” said DelDOT spokesman C.R. McLeod.

The projected value is $400,000.

The tentative start date for the project is May 27.

“The Bridgeville team has continued to work out of this location by temporarily using the equipment storage building and taking equipment to other local yards for service as needed,” Mr. McLeod said. “Once the project is awarded, we expect construction to begin in early summer and be completed by the end of the year.”

Shortly after the storm, Mr. McLeod said the department’s initial preliminary damage estimate for its Bridgeville Yard was several million dollars, counting equipment damaged or destroyed. The final assessment in total damage to property and equipment was $7.3 million, Mr. McLeod said.

The rare EF-3 tornado damaged or destroyed numerous homes and claimed the life of one person, a man who died in a structure collapse southeast of Greenwood.

Completed damage surveys by the National Weather Service revealed the tornado caused catastrophic damage from Bridgeville and Greenwood to the Ellendale area. It had estimated maximum winds of 140 mph.

The tornado’s path measured about 14.3 miles in length with a maximum path width of approximately 700 yards, the NWS survey determined.