NEW CASTLE, Del. – The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) announced it expects all main modes of transport to resume tomorrow, with most schedules returning to normal today. With snow projections of up to 24” in some areas as of Saturday, our team set plans in motion for round-the-clock proactive measures to mitigate travel interruption and ensure citizen safety.  Beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday, the maintenance crews inspected and prepped their vehicles well in advance of the weather system.  In coordination with DRBA Police Department, the maintenance crews salted six miles of I-295 connecting the states of Delaware and New Jersey via the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the runways and taxiways at Wilmington Airport.  Once precipitation began, this practice continued to prevent freezing conditions and set the stage for easier plowing. 

At the Delaware Memorial Bridge, there were no traffic incidents during the event, with all lanes flowing as usual throughout the storm. The exceptions were two lanes closed for just over 2.5 hours due to falling snow from the overhead cables and decreased speeds because of wind gusts. As of now, all managed roads, ramps and structures are clear and passable.

The areas of Cape May, NJ and Lewes, DE were hardest hit, with drifting snow and power outages.  At the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, a total of six round trips were cancelled over two days due to wind gusts and State travel restrictions. However, because of the DRBA Maintenance crews’ immediate action, all approach roads, parking lots and sidewalks were clear at both terminals Monday afternoon. According to Director of Ferry Operations Heath Gehrke, departures for Tuesday February 24th are anticipated to go as planned.  

At the Wilmington Airport (ILG), where a total of 8.3 inches of snow fell, the primary runway reopened at 2:30 p.m. today after a brief closure in advance of the 4 p.m. self-imposed deadline.  All public parking lots are open and accessible, as are all DRBA-maintained access roads. Additionally, the majority of taxiways are open for the tenants and the aviation community, with only a small GA runway temporarily closed. The first Avelo Airlines flight out this evening will be to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)- loaded with happy vacationers heading to sunnier weather. 

Work continues at the many other DRBA-managed airports in New Jersey & Delaware including Millville Executive Airport (MIV), where they reported 13 inches of snow fall and 14 inches at Cape May (WWD) Crews began early to keep the entrance, roads and tenant parking lots cleared for all businesses to operate as normal.  

“I am sincerely proud of our dedicated and experienced workforce and the communication within the Authority and across State organizations,” said DRBA Executive Director Joel Coppadge. “It is our business to provide safe access for all travelers via land, sea and air and I can confidently state we delivered just that in the wake of this storm.“

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 two airports in New Jersey (Millville Executive Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington 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.