en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is investing $42 million to strengthen and repair four critical road bridges on the Interstate 95 section in Wilmington. This project addresses deck deterioration caused by daily high-volume traffic of 220,000 vehicles by applying Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) technology, extending the service life of the road bridges to 50 years. Currently, the project is approximately 40% complete and is scheduled for completion in 2027.
The main scope of the project involves the state's busiest 10-lane highway segment, focusing on repairing the I-719 and I-720 road bridges located at Churchman's Marsh. To ensure traffic efficiency, DelDOT engineers designed a complex "counterflow configuration" diversion plan, which involves shifting lanes to the opposite side of the highway and installing barriers to keep all five lanes in one direction open during construction. The work includes replacing approach slabs and using hydro-demolition to remove deteriorated concrete.
In terms of technical execution, contractor Greggo and Ferrara Construction has successfully completed a UHPC test pour on a bridge deck with a steep 7.5% grade. This material is four times stronger than traditional concrete, and its embedded steel fibers effectively resist salt corrosion. According to the plan, the road bridge project will consume 130,000 pounds of rebar, 2,000 cubic yards of concrete, and 15,000 tons of asphalt, with all removed materials being recycled.
To minimize the impact of the complex traffic patterns on drivers, the construction crew has directly spray-painted lane numbers on the pavement within the road bridge work zone. Additionally, the construction team uses shuttle buses to transport workers collectively, reducing vehicles in the work area. Although work was briefly paused earlier due to a winter storm, the project is now accelerating through multi-phase traffic control measures.
By combining high-performance materials with precise traffic management, this project provides a technical model for the renovation of road bridges on high-density arterial routes. Upon project completion next year, this highway section will offer a smoother driving experience and significantly enhance the structural safety of this key logistics artery in the U.S. Northeast Corridor.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
