Final Phase of the Delaware Memorial Bridge Approach Road Project to Focus on I-295 Southbound from I-95 to Landers Lane- Construction Work to Begin in mid-February 2016

(New Castle, DE) Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced that the fourth and final phase of the I-295 Delaware Approach Road Improvement Project to the Delaware Memorial Bridge will commence in mid-February 2016.  The construction work will be performed by Mumford & Miller Concrete, Inc. of Middletown, Delaware, at a cost of $33.7 million.  When highway work is concluded on this final phase in November 2018, the Authority will have invested more than $90 million to improve the region’s infrastructure during the course of the I-295 Delaware Memorial Bridge Approach Road Rehabilitation program.

According to Brent VanLith, project engineer for the DRBA, the multi-year road improvement program will modernize the approach road system and enhance safety for the traveling public. “These approach roads and ramps were built in the 1960s and need to be updated to comply with current Federal and State highway standards,” VanLith said. “Our goal is to rehabilitate these facilities to improve the highway’s efficiency and safety while limiting the impact on the traveling public during the construction.”

The southbound I-295/US13 interchange experiences traffic congestion where four through lanes decrease to two lanes and this condition is further complicated by weaving patterns.  This traffic ‘bottleneck’ has resulted in undesirable merge and weave patterns.  This project includes removal of four (4) existing overpasses, replacement of one (1) existing bridge, and elimination of the weaving patterns for increased traffic capacity and safety.  These improvements will also increase the number of mainline through lanes from two (2) to three (3), providing greater lane capacity to meet future traffic demands.  The ramp from U.S. Route 13 northbound to I-295 southbound, known locally as the Baltimore ramp, will be eliminated.  A new ramp will be constructed further north to connect and merge with I-295 southbound.

VanLith added that the Authority is collaborating with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to complete a portion of state highway improvements at the same time as the Authority’s work to minimize impact to the traveling public. This final phase of construction work covers both DRBA and DelDOT portions of I-295.  For ease of administration, the DRBA will perform the construction on the full length of the highway and DelDOT will reimburse the Authority approximately $7 million.

Construction work will also include the connection of the Industrial Track Greenway Trail between the New Castle County and DelDOT sections as the Authority will complete a 300 foot long, 10 foot wide illuminated tunnel under I-295.

During this phase of construction, two southbound mainline through-lanes will be maintained at all times. While DRBA engineers have designed the project to minimize traffic delays to the extent possible, motorists should expect to experience them from time-to-time.

The safety of the traveling public, highway contractors on-site, and DRBA employees continue to be the highest priority. Commuters and travelers are urged to be careful and stay alert in and around construction zones, obey all detours and posted speed limits and plan to take a few extra minutes during rush hour periods.

To ease potential delays, travelers and commuters may want to schedule trips at off-peak hours or car-pool, if possible. The free Rideshare Delaware program matches individuals for purposes of establishing carpools. For those interested in the program, please call Rideshare Delaware at 1-888 RIDEMATCH.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority

The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.