Editing Delaware Memorial Bridge

{{Short description|Twin suspension bridge between New Castle, Delaware and Pennsville Township, New Jersey}}
{{Distinguish| Delaware River–Turnpike Toll Bridge}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2011}}
{{Infobox company
  | name = Delaware Memorial Bridge
  | logo = File:Delaware Memorial Bridge logo.png
  | logo_alt = Simple blue diagram of twin suspension bridges with the text "Delaware Memorial Bridge" 
  | module = 
{{Infobox bridge
| embed = yes
| bridge_name = Delaware Memorial Bridge
| image = Del_Mem_Br.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Looking southbound
| official_name = 
| carries = 8&nbsp;lanes of {{jct|country=USA|I|295|dab1=Delaware-Pennsylvania|US|40}}
| crosses = [[Delaware River]]
| locale = [[New Castle County, Delaware]],<ref name=DEHighwaymap>{{cite web|url=https://deldot.gov/Publications/shop_de_maps/pdfs/General_Highway_Map_New_Castle_County.pdf|title=General Highway Map New Castle County, Delaware|publisher=[[Delaware Department of Transportation]]|year=2019|access-date=2024-06-29}}</ref> and [[Pennsville Township, New Jersey]]
| maint = [[Delaware River and Bay Authority]]
| id = 1737
| design = {{Plainlist|
*[[Suspension bridge]] with [[Truss bridge|truss spans]] (main span)
*[[Girder bridge|Girder and floorbeam system bridge]] (approach viaducts)
}}
<!--NBI data says it's a girder and floorbeam system bridge eastbound, probably a typo-->| material = [[Steel]]|
| mainspan = {{convert|2150|ft|m|0}}
| length = {{convert|10765|ft|m|0}} (eastbound)<br/>{{convert|10796|ft|m|0}} (westbound)
| width = {{convert|59.1|ft|m|0}} (eastbound)<br/>{{convert|58.7|ft|m|0}} (westbound)
| clearance = {{convert|17.9|ft|m|0}}
| below = {{convert|174|ft|m|0}}
| traffic = 100,000
| open = {{start date and age|1951|8|15}} (eastbound)<br/>{{start date and age|1968|9|12}} (westbound)
| closed = 
| toll = Cars $6.00 cash, $4.75 for DE and NJ-issued [[E-ZPass]], $5.00 for out-of-state [[E-ZPass]], tractor-trailers $32.00 (Delaware side; westbound only)
| map_cue = 
| map_image = 
| map_text = 
| map_width = 
| coordinates = {{coord|39.68927|-75.51897|display=inline,title}}
| website = https://www.delawarememorialbridge.com
}}
}}
[[File:Delaware Memorial Bridge aerial 2012.jpg|thumb|Aerial image of Delaware Memorial Bridge (left), [[Wilmington, Delaware]] (top right), 2012]]

The '''Delaware Memorial Bridge''' is a [[Twin bridges|dual-span]] [[suspension bridge]] crossing the [[Delaware River]]. The [[toll bridge]]s carry [[Interstate 295 (Delaware–Pennsylvania)|Interstate 295]] and [[U.S. Route 40]] and is also the link between [[Delaware]] and [[New Jersey]]. The bridge was designed by the firm of [[HNTB|Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff]] with consulting help from engineer [[Othmar Ammann]], whose other designs include the [[George Washington Bridge]] and the [[Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge]].

The bridges provide a regional connection for long-distance travelers. While not a part of [[Interstate 95]], they connect two parts of the highway: the Delaware Turnpike ([[Interstate 95 in Delaware]]) on the south side with the [[New Jersey Turnpike]] (later [[Interstate 95 in New Jersey]]) on the north. They also connect [[Interstate 495 (Delaware)|Interstate 495]], [[U.S. Route 13 in Delaware|U.S. Route 13]], and [[Delaware Route 9|Route 9]] in [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] [[New Castle County, Delaware]], near [[New Castle, Delaware|New Castle]],<ref name=DEHighwaymap/> with [[U.S. Route 130]] in [[Pennsville Township, New Jersey]] (at the settlement of [[Deepwater, New Jersey]]).  The Delaware Memorial and [[Benjamin Franklin Bridge]] are the only crossings of the Delaware River with both [[U.S. Highway]] and [[Interstate Highway]] designations.

The bridges are dedicated to those from both New Jersey and Delaware who died in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. On the Delaware side of the bridge is a War Memorial, visible from the northbound-side lanes. The toll facility is operated by the [[Delaware River and Bay Authority]].

The Delaware Memorial Bridge is the southernmost and the largest fixed vehicular crossing of the Delaware River. It is also the only fixed vehicular crossing between Delaware and New Jersey. However, at [[Fort Mott (New Jersey)|Fort Mott, New Jersey]], there is a small amount of land on the New Jersey side of the river that is part of the [[State of Delaware]], and thus there are pedestrian crossings in between those states, but not spanning the river. The [[Cape May–Lewes Ferry]] provides an alternate route between travelers from New Jersey and the Northeastern states to southern Delaware.

On clear days, the skyline of [[Philadelphia]] is visible in the distance on the left going to New Jersey and on the right leaving New Jersey. Wilmington, Delaware, only a few miles away from the bridge, is also visible.  Other landmarks that can be seen from the bridge includes the cooling tower for [[Public Service Electric and Gas Company|PSEG]]'s [[Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station]] near [[Salem, New Jersey]], the [[Delaware City Refinery]] in [[Delaware City, Delaware]], the [[Reedy Point Bridge]], also in Delaware City, both the [[St. Georges Bridge (Delaware)|St. Georges Bridge]] and the [[Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge]] in [[St. Georges, Delaware]], and the [[Commodore Barry Bridge]] in [[Chester, Pennsylvania]].

{{As of|2024}}, more than 100,000 vehicles cross the twin spans on their combined total of eight lanes daily.<ref name="about">{{Cite web |url= https://www.delawarememorialbridge.com/dmb-about |title=About the Delaware Memorial Bridge |website=Delaware River and Bay Authority |access-date=September 17, 2024 }}</ref> The largest single day of traffic had 79,488 private and commercial vehicles cross the bridge one-way on November 29, 2009. The largest single weekend for traffic totals had 211,685 vehicles cross the bridge one-way, August 16–18, 2019.<ref>https://www.drba.net/statistics</ref>

==History==

===The first span===
[[File:Delaware Memorial Bridge, near Wilmington, Delaware (89985).jpg|thumb|left|Postcard of the original span prior to the construction of the second]]
Following the opening of the [[Benjamin Franklin Bridge]] in [[Philadelphia]], residents of Delaware and New Jersey began to advocate a crossing of the river in the area of [[Wilmington, Delaware]]. As commercial pressures mounted, a ferry service began, as an interim measure, to run in 1926, near the bridge's current location. Advocates of a [[bridge]] crossing between Delaware and New Jersey faced strong opposition from the Philadelphia Port Authorities, which claimed that the bridge would be a menace to navigation. The [[U.S. Navy]] and [[U.S. Coast Guard]] were also concerned that the bridge would be vulnerable to an enemy attack. If the bridge were to collapse into the river, it could render the [[Philadelphia Navy Yard]] unusable.

As traffic by cars and truck increased rapidly, the benefits of a bridge in this area became evident, and its construction was authorized by the highway departments of Delaware and New Jersey in 1945. Originally, a two-lane [[highway]] tunnel was considered, but the costs for a four-lane bridge was found to be equivalent in price, therefore being the reason a four-lane bridge was chosen. [[U.S. Congress|Congress]] approved the bridge project on July 13, 1946, and its construction began on February 1, 1949.

The project cost $44 million, and it took two years to complete the {{convert|175|ft|m|0}} high span with towers reaching {{convert|440|ft|m|0}} above water level. The first span opened to traffic on August 16, 1951, and at the time was the sixth-longest main suspension span in the world.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 16, 1951|title=$44 Million Dollar Bridge Dedicated|work=Evening Star|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1951-08-16/ed-1/seq-6/|access-date=June 4, 2020}}</ref> The [[Governor of Delaware]], [[Elbert N. Carvel]], and the [[Governor of New Jersey]], [[Alfred E. Driscoll]], dedicated the bridge to each state's war dead from [[World War II]].

The bridge quickly proved a popular travel route when the [[New Jersey Turnpike]] connection was completed at its north end. By 1955, nearly eight million vehicles were crossing the bridge each year, nearly twice the original projection. By 1960, the bridge was carrying more than 15 million cars and trucks per year, and this increased even more when the bridge was linked to the new Delaware Turnpike, [[Interstate 95 in Delaware|Interstate 95]], in November 1963.

===The second span===
Construction of the second span began in mid-1964, {{convert|250|ft|m|0}} north of the original span. It was completed at a cost of $77 million and opened on September 12, 1968, dedicated to those soldiers from Delaware and New Jersey killed in the [[Korean War]] and [[Vietnam War]]. The original span was closed down for fifteen months for refurbishment: its suspenders were replaced and its deck and median barrier were removed and replaced with a single deck to allow four undivided lanes of traffic. Finally, on December 29, 1969, all eight lanes of the Delaware Memorial Bridge Twin Span opened to traffic, making it the world's second-longest twin suspension bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drba.net/DelawareMemorialBridge.aspx |title=The world's second longest twin suspension bridge |publisher=Delaware River and Bay Authority |date=2010 |access-date=2011-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214083555/http://www.drba.net/DelawareMemorialBridge.aspx|archive-date=2011-12-14 }}</ref>

While they are similar in basic appearance, major differences exist between the original and second spans. The original was constructed of riveted steel plates, and has an open-grate shoulder access walk. The second span was constructed mostly of welded steel plates (with heavy riveted joints in crucial areas) like with most contemporary steel bridges, and also has concrete access walks.<ref>[http://www.drba.net/bridge/ Delaware Memorial Bridge] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041204035153/http://www.drba.net/bridge/ |date=December 4, 2004 }}</ref>

The original suspension span carries northbound traffic for [[Interstate 295 (Delaware–Pennsylvania)|Interstate 295]], the newer southbound. Crossover lanes on each side of the bridge can allow two-way traffic on one span if the other must be closed for an extensive period of time.

===1969–present===
On July 9, 1969, the oil tanker ''Regent Liverpool'' struck the fender system protecting the tower piers. The bridge itself was spared damage, but the fender suffered about $1.0 million in damage.

The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) began a $13 million project in 2003 to resurface the bridge, refurbish the [[expansion joint]]s, upgrade the electrical system, and replace the elevators in the four towers. This work was completed in 2008.

In 2022 the DRBA began a project to apply [[ultra-high performance concrete]] to the driving surface of the eastbound span (i.e., northbound Interstate 295)<!-- DRBA calls it Northbound -->.<ref>{{cite web|author=Delaware River and Bay Authority|title=DMB Ultra High Performance Concrete Project|url=https://www.delawarememorialbridge.com/dmb-ultra-high-performance-concrete-project|access-date=August 5, 2022}}<!-- If secondary source preferred: https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/delaware-memorial-bridge-lane-resurfacing-begins Aug 4, 2022 --></ref>

The Delaware Memorial Bridge Protection System began in July 2023. The $93 million ship collision protection system project consists of the installation of eight stone-filled [[Dolphin (structure)|dolphins]], each measuring {{convert|80|feet}} in diameter. Four cells are being installed at the piers supporting both eastern and western towers and will be located a minimum of {{convert|443|feet}} from the edge of the Delaware River's {{convert|800|foot|m|adj=mid|-wide}} channel. Construction is expected to be completed in September 2025.<ref>https://www.drba.net/construction-underway-new-bridge-collision-protection-system</ref>

==Toll==
[[File:Delaware Memorial Bridge toll plaza wide.jpg|thumb|Delaware Memorial Bridge one-way toll plaza]]

One-way tolls for traffic entering Delaware (westbound) were instituted in 1992.<ref name="tolls">{{cite web |url=http://www.drba.net/DelawareMemorialBridge/CurrentTolls.aspx |title=Current Tolls |website=DRBA |access-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130202011/http://www.drba.net/DelawareMemorialBridge/CurrentTolls.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{As of|2025|6|1|df=US}}, the toll is $5.00 for passenger vehicles using cash and $4.75 using a Delaware or New Jersey issued [[E-ZPass]].<ref name="tolls" /> Frequent Traveler discounts are available. About $270,000 in tolls are collected daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=Delaware%20Memorial%20Bridge |title=Delaware Memorial Bridge |author=magicmanzach |access-date=2011-08-08}}</ref> The DRBA had raise the toll from $4.00 to $5.00,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/south/2018/12/bridge-toll-jumps-to-5-but-theres-a-way-you-can-cross-for-just-125.html |title=Bridge toll jumps to $5, but there's a way you can cross for just $1.25 |last=Gallo Jr. |first=Bill |website=NJ.com |date=December 18, 2018 |access-date=February 28, 2019}}</ref> however New Jersey Governor [[Phil Murphy]] vetoed this plan on January 3, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Karl |title=New Jersey governor vetoes $1 toll increase on Delaware Memorial Bridge |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/01/03/new-jersey-governor-vetoes-1-toll-increase-delaware-memorial-bridge/2471029002/ |website=Delaware Online |access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref> In February, the DRBA and the governors of Delaware and New Jersey reached an agreement which postponed the toll hike to May 1, as well as providing a 25 cent E-ZPass discount for passenger vehicles. The frequent traveler rate increased from $1.25 to $1.75.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2019/02/14/delaware-memorial-bridge-toll-raise-back/2875635002/|title=Delaware Memorial Bridge toll raise back on after two-state deal |last=Peterson |first=Josephine |date=February 14, 2019 |website=Delaware Online |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>

Prior to the introduction of E-ZPass, both tokens and frequent traveler tickets were used, with special, discounted ticket books for local residents. They were phased out upon the introduction of the new system, and the tokens are no longer valid.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

==Motorist assistance==

When the bridge opened in 1951, DRBA officials noticed that some motorists expressed fear of crossing the bridge due to [[gephyrophobia]] or [[acrophobia]]. As a result, the DRBA Police offers an "acrophobia support" service whereby a motorist can call ahead to arrange for an officer to drive them over the bridge. One officer drives the motorist's vehicle while another officer follows in an escort vehicle. The DRBA responds to about 450 escort requests per year, with 60% of calls coming from repeat customers.<ref>[https://www.drba.net/safety-security Safety & Security], DRBA</ref><ref>[https://firststateupdate.com/2021/06/program-aids-drivers-fearful-of-driving-across-delaware-memorial-bridge/ Program Aids Drivers Fearful Of Driving Across Delaware Memorial Bridge], First State Update, June 10, 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.nj.com/news/2018/05/meet_the_bridge_angels_who_help_scared_drivers_get_to_nj.html Meet the bridge angels who help scared drivers get to N.J.], [[NJ.com]], May 26, 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/acrophobia-bridge-driving-escort-delaware-new-jersey-philadelphia-20180411.html Scared of driving over bridges? You can call someone to take the wheel], [[Philadelphia Inquirer]], Apr. 11, 2018</ref>

==War memorial==
Since opening of the first bridge in 1951, annual ceremonies are held at the bridge's war memorial on [[Memorial Day]] and [[Veterans Day (United States)|Veterans Day]] to honor the sacrifices of American war veterans.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dmbveteransmemorialpark.com/services/ |title=Services |website=Delaware Memorial Bridge Veteran's Memorial Park |access-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814071637/http://dmbveteransmemorialpark.com/services/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The memorial is located in '''Veterans Memorial Park''' in [[New Castle, Delaware]], and it features a reflecting pool, a statue of a soldier, and a wall containing the names of 15,000 men and women from Delaware and New Jersey who were killed in [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]], the [[War in Vietnam]], and the [[Persian Gulf War]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dmbveteransmemorialpark.com/memorial/ |title=Memorial |website=Delaware Memorial Bridge Veteran's Memorial Park |access-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814055736/http://dmbveteransmemorialpark.com/memorial/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Facilities==
The administrative headquarters of DRBA are in the Delaware Memorial Bridge Plaza, on the Delaware side, in New Castle County.<ref name=HQ>{{cite web|url=https://www.drba.net/drba-contacts|title=DRBA Contacts|publisher=Delaware River and Bay Authority|access-date=2024-06-29|quote=Physical Address Delaware Memorial Bridge Plaza 2162 New Castle Ave., New Castle, DE 19720}} - Despite the "New Castle, DE" address, it is not in [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st10_de/place/p1050800_new_castle/DC20BLK_P1050800.pdf the New Castle city limits], [https://deldot.gov/Publications/shop_de_maps/pdfs/General_Highway_Map_New_Castle_County.pdf Compare to county map]</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed>
File:DelawareMemorialBridgeFromSouth.jpg|Delaware Memorial Bridge, approaching from the Delaware side, 2005
File:Delaware-New Jersey State Line on DMB (southbound).jpg|Delaware/New Jersey State Line marked on southbound span of Delaware Memorial Bridge
File:Delaware River and Bay Authority headquarters by Matthew Bisanz.jpg|[[Delaware River and Bay Authority]] headquarters in the bridge toll plaza
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Transport|Engineering|New Jersey}}
* [[List of crossings of the Delaware River]]
* [[List of longest bridges]]
* [[List of bridges in the United States]]
* [[List of longest suspension bridge spans]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |first=William J. |last=Miller |title=Crossing the Delaware: The Story of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Longest Twin-Suspension Bridge in the World |publisher=Middle Atlantic |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-911293-02-9 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.delawarememorialbridge.com/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060219022134/http://www.delcode.state.de.us/title17/c003/index.htm Delaware State Code Title 17, Chapter 3] Legal framework for Delaware Memorial Bridge
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060219022356/http://www.delcode.state.de.us/title17/c018/index.htm Delaware State Code Title 17, Chapter 18] Legal framework for Delaware River and Bay Authority
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051115064932/http://www.transdyn.com/pp/pp_dmb.html Delaware Memorial Bridge Advanced Traffic Management System]
* {{Structurae|id=20000511|title=Delaware Memorial Bridge (1951)}}
* {{Structurae|id=20000557|title=Delaware Memorial Bridge (1968)}}
* {{osmrelation|7182016}}

{{DRBA facilities}}
{{Crossings navbox
|structure       = Crossings
|place           = [[Delaware River]]
|bridge          = Delaware Memorial Bridge
|bridge signs    = [[File:I-295.svg|25px]] [[File:US 40.svg|20px]]
|upstream        = [[Commodore Barry Bridge]]
|upstream signs  = [[File:US 322.svg|25px]]
|downstream      = [[Forts Ferry Crossing]]
|downstream signs =
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 1951]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1968]]
[[Category:Bridges over the Delaware River]]
[[Category:Bridges in New Castle County, Delaware]]
[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Salem County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Interstate 95]]
[[Category:Delaware River and Bay Authority facilities]]
[[Category:World War II memorials in the United States]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Delaware]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Suspension bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Toll bridges in Delaware]]
[[Category:Toll bridges in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Tolled sections of Interstate Highways]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 40]]
[[Category:Road bridges in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Road bridges in Delaware]]
[[Category:Bridges by Othmar Ammann]]
[[Category:Bridges on the Interstate Highway System]]
[[Category:Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System]]
[[Category:Towers in Delaware]]
[[Category:Steel bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Pennsville Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in New Castle, Delaware]]
[[Category:Interstate vehicle bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:1951 establishments in Delaware]]
[[Category:1951 establishments in New Jersey]]