DRBA Releases Traffic Update on Bridge beginning Sept. 7th
NEW CASTLE, DE – Commuters and travelers crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge should brace for lane closures this fall as the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) begins a major joint replacement project on the bridge’s northbound span.
Work begins September 7 and is expected to run through November 24, ahead of the holiday travel season. Crews will replace 46 structural joints on the New Jersey-bound span to preserve the bridge’s long-term safety and structural integrity, according to DRBA.
To accommodate construction, the two right lanes of the northbound span will be closed 24 hours a day for the duration of the project. DRBA will set up a dedicated, barrier-separated bypass lane on the southbound span to help absorb the overflow — but only for passenger vehicles headed toward the New Jersey Turnpike or U.S. Route 40.
Commercial vehicles, trucks, and anyone getting off at local New Jersey exits (U.S. 130 or Route 49) will need to stay in the two open lanes on the main northbound span; they won’t have access to the southbound bypass lane.
DRBA is warning drivers to expect delays during peak commute times and is urging motorists to build in extra travel time and stay alert through the work zone. The authority has posted an instructional animation showing how the new traffic pattern will work, and full project details are available at delawarememorialbridge.com. Real-time updates are posted on X at @demembridge.
Additional Notes
The project comes as the bridge marks a milestone of its own: August 16 is the 75th anniversary of the original span’s opening. DRBA is also marking the occasion with the ribbon cutting of its new Ship Collision Protection System, an $89 million project — partially funded by a $22.25 million federal BUILD grant — that broke ground in early 2023 and wrapped up construction in 2025.
Lane closures on the Delaware Memorial Bridge affect a major artery for Salem County commuters and travelers heading into Delaware, and the two-month closure window overlaps with the run-up to the holiday season, one of the bridge’s busiest stretches.
Below is information from the the official press release from the DRBA earlier this year:
“…The scope of work includes the complete removal and replacement of 46 bridge joints—comprising 24 expansion joints and 22 relief joints—along with specialized Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) reconstruction adjoining each joint location.
You can view an instructional traffic animation video belwo:
‘Bridge joints are critical structural components that absorb the natural movement of the bridge caused by temperature changes and continuous heavy traffic,’ said DRBA Chief Engineer David Hoppenjans. ‘Replacing these original joint systems in conjunction with our recent deck preservation work ensures the overall long-term structural integrity, safety, and performance of the bridge for decades to come.’
Traffic Impacts & Lane Configurations:
Northbound Span (NJ-Bound): Continuous 24/7 double lane closures will be in place on the northbound structure. The two left northbound lanes will remain open on the New Jersey-bound span for all traffic types.
Southbound Span (DE-Bound) Bypass Lane: To maintain overall crossing capacity, a dedicated barrier-separated bypass lane will be established on the exterior lane of the Delaware-bound span. This bypass lane is strictly designated for passenger vehicles destined for the NJ Turnpike or US Route 40 traffic only. Tractor-trailers, trucks and other commercial vehicles are prohibited from using this bypass lane.
Southbound Traffic (DE-Bound): Three (3) right lanes on the Delaware-bound span will remain open for southbound traffic into Delaware (I-95 and I-495). The left lane will be cordoned off for use as the contra-flow bypass lane.
Motorist Guidance:
NJ Turnpike & US-40 Bound Passenger Cars: Motorists using the barrier-separated bypass lane on the southbound span can help minimize traffic congestion on the New Jersey bound bridge and can easily merge directly onto the NJ Turnpike and US-40.
US-130 / RT-49 & Local NJ Destinations: Passenger cars and commercial vehicles heading toward US-130, RT-49, or other local exits must remain in the open northbound lanes on the main northbound span. No access is available to these exits from the Contra-Flow Bypass Lane.
Commercial Traffic: All trucks, buses, and oversized vehicles must remain in the two open left lanes of the northbound span.
While DRBA engineers have designed the traffic pattern to maximize capacity and minimize disruption, motorists should anticipate delays heading northbound into New Jersey, particularly during peak morning and evening commute times and busy weekend hours.
Commuters are urged to exercise caution, stay alert in construction zones, obey posted speed limits, and plan extra travel time. For real-time traffic updates and project details, follow the Delaware Memorial Bridge on X (formerly Twitter) @demembridge or visit
www.delawarememorialbridge.com.”
