LEWES, Del.- It was in November of 1926 when the second version of the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse was built.
Nearly 100 years later, Senator Tom Carper has announced federal money is going towards the lighthouse to come up with repairs on the landmark.
The first step will be a feasibility study to see what needs to be repaired. On a Zoom call Monday afternoon, Senator Tom Carper explained that infrastructure is not just about the safety of roads, bridges, and railroads but bodies of water as well.
"A vital part of our nautical infrastructure is jeopardized," Carper said. "The safe passage of ships coming in and out of our part of America are jeopardized."
The Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation has leased the lighthouse since April of 2002. Past President Red Moulinier says the stone around the lighthouse has taken a toll due to being a wide open target during storms.
"A lot of the stone, it supports the cement collar," Moulinier said. "The collar encircles the lighthouse. A lot of that stone has gone missing, ok. We believed its just tumbled down, tumbled down the breakwater."
Current President Rick Ziegler says if action isn't taken soon, it could lead to bigger problems for the lighthouse.
"If that continues, the lighthouse will not be stable," Ziegler said. "So it's a pretty dramatic difference over the next ten years."
Up next, the Army Corps of Engineers will do the study to see what repairs are most essential and what will be needed to complete them.
It is unknown when a feasibility study could be started but Senior Policy Advisor of the United States Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee John Kane says a study could take one and half to two years.