I-295 Southbound Reconstruction Project near the Delaware Memorial Bridge to Commence Week of February 15, 2016

(New Castle, DE) Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced that the first stage of the I-295 Southbound Reconstruction Project from Landers Lane to I-95 is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 15, 2016.  The Authority’s contractor will be working at night to erect jersey barriers in the construction zone.  The goal of the reconstruction project is to rehabilitate the approach roads and ramps to improve the highway’s efficiency and safety while limiting the impact on the traveling public during the construction.  At the conclusion of the project, I-295 southbound mainline traffic lanes will have 50% more capacity.

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 following traffic pattern changes can be expected during Stage 1:

Traffic on I-295 southbound will be shifted to the right to allow for reconstruction and paving of the left lanes.

• Traffic on I-295 southbound to the I-95 northbound ramp will be shifted to the left to allow for reconstruction and paving of the right side of the ramp. One lane of traffic will be open at all times on the ramp.
• Traffic on the ramp from I-295 southbound to I-495 will be shifted to the left to allow for reconstruction and paving activities on the right side of the ramp.  At least one lane of traffic will be open at all times.
• Beginning February 21, the ramp from US Route 13 north to I-295 southbound will be closed.  Detour signage will direct motorists to continue on I-295 northbound to the exit ramp for U.S. Route 9 north, remain on U.S. Route 9 to the I-295 southbound ramp and continue on I-295 southbound.
• The I-295 southbound to U.S. Route 13 ramp will be reduced from two lanes to one lane.  Traffic will be shifted to the left side of the ramp to allow for reconstruction and paving of the right side.

Safety of the traveling public, highway contractors on-site, and DRBA employees continues to be our 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.

Mumford & Miller Concrete, Inc. of Middletown, Delaware is executing the construction work 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.

A detailed map of the I-295 Southbound Reconstruction project can be found at www.drba.net/295.aspx

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.