New Castle – At around 9:00 this morning Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) contractors began closing the Route 141 Bridge over Route 13. The bridge will remain closed in both directions for approximately 45 days and then reopen to SR 141 northbound and southbound traffic, according to DelDOT. The work is anticipated to be complete by late January, pending weather.
Officials said this project involves the replacement of the existing concrete deck with a pre-cast concrete deck. The sidewalk on the southbound side will be removed to allow the sidewalk on the northbound side to be widened. Existing vertical clearance will be increased a few inches by jacking the bridge up. The project will be done under a full road closure with detours for vehicles and pedestrians.
There is significant spalling and delaminating of the existing concrete deck. The deck has full depth spalls and exposed rebar at multiple locations. The existing steel girders have been impacted by over height trucks multiple times per year because of the substandard under clearance.
