Middletown – As part of the on-going US 301 Mainline Project, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces to motorists that SR 1 northbound between Pole Bridge Road and Roth Bridge will be closed at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 22 until 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 23. In an effort to minimize the impact to the traveling public, the work will be accomplished this weekend for the installation of structural components for the new US 301 bridge over SR 1.
Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 22, motorists should expect a single lane closure along SR 1 northbound before Pole Bridge Road with the full closure of SR 1 northbound at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 22.
In addition, at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 22, the right lane will be closed along US 13 northbound from Bayview Road to Pole Bridge Road until 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 23 to allow for the free right-turn movement of the detoured traffic from SR 1 northbound to Pole Bridge Road and onto US 13 northbound.
The work, originally planned for Tuesday night was moved to the weekend after last week’s crane malfunction caused morning delays. On Thursday thousands of motorist were delayed when a construction crane malfunctioned and crews were unable to reopen the road in time for morning rush hour. As a result of that closure both the Delaware Secretary of Transportation and the contractor release statements.
Statement from Secretary Cohan and Contractor Tutor Perini on Route 1 SB Closure at Biddles Corner
I would like to apologize to all those impacted by this extended closure. The overnight construction activity on southbound State Route 1 to place a major structural concrete straddle bent section for the new US301 flyover bridge over SR1 SB encountered major delays that resulted in an extended closure of the roadway. While we work hard with our contractors to plan these events to cause the least amount of impact on motorists, there is always the potential for issues to arise during execution that can alter our best laid plans. DelDOT has worked closely with the contractor to get the road re-opened as quickly and safely as possible.
The roadway is reopened at this time. We will be meeting with the contractor, Tutor Perini, to discuss today’s events and avoid these types of delays for next Tuesday’s planned installation for the similar operation to install the structural concrete straddle bent for the new US 301 flyover over SR1 NB. Per the contractual language, DelDOT does have the right to seek damages from the contractor for the delay, as the advertised end time for the closure was not met and has caused significant delays for motorists today. I apologize again for this inconvenience, and we will work hard to do better.
– Jennifer Cohan, Secretary of Transportation
Statement from Damon Petrillo, Vice President of Operations of Tutor Perini
On behalf of Tutor Perini, please accept our apologies for the delayed erection of the concrete beam on the DELDOT 1B Project.
The planned erection procedure included a detour to the traveling public, which was to be concluded by 6:00am on September 14, 2017.
This did not occur, due to a multitude of issues, outside the control of DELDOT, but within that of Tutor Perini, where by the detour was removed, and traffic restored to the public, by 3:00pm on Thursday.
While the operation was completed safely, an inconvenience was caused to the general public, DELDOT, and others. Tutor Perini offers its sincere apologies for today’s events.
During this next phase motorist should also expect a single lane closure along SR 1 southbound, prior to the Roth Bridge beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 22 until 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 23.
During this time, motorists should follow the posted detour to Exit 142/Pole Bridge Road onto US 13 north and return to SR 1 via the free ramp.
Due to the inconvenience caused by this closure, the toll will be waived at the Exit from SR 1 northbound to Pole Bridge Road.
Image Credits: DelDOT
