NEW CASTLE, Del. – Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced that its contractor, UHPC Solutions North America LLC of Orange, New Jersey will begin the process to remove the concrete Jersey Barriers on the Delaware-bound Span.  This stage of the demobilization effort – including the closure of the Bypass Lane and removal of these concrete barriers, is set to begin on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.  

Delaware Bound Span of Delaware Memorial Bridge

Wednesday, November 16 – Monday, November 21, 2022:  The three (3) left lanes will be closed from 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. daily to remove the concrete Jersey Barriers that established the Bypass Lane.  During this process, only the right lane will be open to traffic.   

The first phase of the major construction project to rehabilitate the bridge deck (driving surface) of the New Jersey-bound Span is coming to a close and all eight (8) lanes of the Delaware Memorial Bridge are expected to reopen by Tuesday, November 22, 2022.  

“I’m pleased to report that our contractor is on track to successfully complete the first phase of the Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) deck project on the New Jersey-bound Span in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel period,” said DRBA Chief Engineer David Hoppenjans.  “With every construction project at the Delaware Memorial Bridge, our goal is to complete the necessary work safely while making sure traffic impacts to our customers are kept to a minimum.  We want to thank our customers for their patience and perseverance as we continue to rebuild the bridge deck.”  

With the conclusion of the project next week, Hoppenjans noted that the right two lanes from the midpoint of the New Jersey-bound span back to the Delaware Anchorage are now fully rebuilt.  The second phase, which is expected to begin on or about February 1, 2022, will focus on the left two lanes of the same structure.  

While DRBA engineers have designed the project to minimize traffic delays to the extent possible, motorists may encounter them, particularly during rush hour time periods and peak weekend travel times. The safety of the traveling public and on-site highway contractors is the agency’s highest priority.  Commuters and travelers are urged to be careful and to stay alert in and around construction zones and obey all posted speed limit signs.  

In March 2022, the DRBA contracted with UHPC Solutions North America LLC of Orange, New Jersey to undertake the deck overlay project on the New Jersey-bound Span of the DMB.  The three-phase project, which will cost approximately $71 million, is expected to be completed in November 2023.

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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 (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.