Delaware Road Work Means Delays For Some Shorebound Drivers

by KYW's David Madden

NEW CASTLE, DE (CBS) -- A major route to the Delaware and Maryland beaches is going to be tied up for the next three years with construction work.

The Delaware River and Bay Authority has begun work to rebuild a one mile stretch for highway just off the Memorial Bridge connecting with 95. Authority spokesman Jim Salmon says the ramps and roadway are 50 years old, and need the work.

"We are designing the project to minimize the traffic delays to the extent possible," Salmon told KYW Newsradio, "but with any type of construction project of this magnitude, you are going to run into delays."

How bad those might be remains to be seen. But consider this, the normal daily traffic of some 45 thousand vehicles goes up another 30 thousand when the weather warms up.

Besides, Salmon said, "The good news is that when the construction is completed, instead of two thru lanes you'll have three."

You can learn more about the project by clicking here.

If you're thinking about taking one of the Delaware River Port Authority Bridges, say the Commodore Barry, to connect to 95 south to avoid that mess, consider this: they're doing work on 95 near 202 in Wilmington.

So short of driving to Cape May and hopping on the Ferry, you'll need to pack some patience.