New Road bridge replacement project delayed indefinitely

A project to replace the New Road bridge over Canary Creek in Lewes is delayed indefinitely.

Delaware Department of Transportation spokesman Charles “CR” McLeod said the department has been unsuccessful in finding a suitable local property to purchase to create a new wetland mitigation site, which is required by law for projects impacting environmentally sensitive areas. Until this is resolved the project cannot move forward.

This project, estimated in 2020 to be about $13 million, has been in the works for many years. DelDOT’s plan is to build a new span to the 100-year flood elevation, which is significantly higher than the existing bridge. 

The existing bridge is 35 years old and often floods during coastal storms and high tides, resulting in road closures or dangerous conditions for motorists. It is 30 feet long and has a clearance of only 2.9 feet from the normal water surface under the bridge.

The new bridge is proposed to be 100 feet long. It would sit 9 to 10 feet above the creek. The roadway on either side would be raised to a minimum of 7.6 feet – the existing elevation is as low as 2.7 feet at Forecastle Lane, the entrance to the Reserves at Pilottown development. The entire stretch of New Road from Schaffer Lane to Captains Circle would be raised as part of the project.