Credit to: Delaware Public Media, Joe Irizarry

Work begins soon to replace the Fenwick Island Bridge.  The nearly 70-year-old bridge is the fifth most deficient bridge in the state according to DelDOT.  The main issue is the bridge pylons - which are in the water - eroding over time.

It’s a multi-phase project building half of the new bridge to shift traffic to that while tearing down the old half and replacing that.  The bridge will always be open with some single-lane closures possible at night or overnight.

"It's going to be a lengthy project because of the way that we're doing, it's really a try and minimize traffic impacts as much as possible. And, ultimately what we're going to end up with is just a modern and wider bridge,

Credit to: WBOC, Sean Curtis, AECOM

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has announced the delay of a bridge replacement on Route 54 (Lighthouse Road) in Fenwick Island.

According to DelDOT, a delay with the National Environmental Policy Act process due to tidal and navigation issues caused the project’s expected completion date to be pushed back. The bridge’s replacement was initially planned for Spring 2025, but is now expected to commence in early 2026.

DelDOT says the replacement will occur in two phases, the first commencing in October 2026 and lasting through May 2027. The second phase is slated for October 2027 through May 2028.

The replacement project was initiated due to the bridge’s poor condition,

Source: Courtesy of DelDOT

At a recent public workshop held in Fenwick Island, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) presented plans and timelines for a two-year, $40 million project for replacement of the existing 50-year-old Route 54 bridge over the Assawoman Bay west of Fenwick Island.

The first phase of the project will involve installing a temporary sidewalk and adapting the existing structure to support two lanes of traffic on the south side of the bridge, before beginning demolition and construction on the north side of the bridge. During the second phase, traffic will shift to the newly-built portion of the bridge while the south side of the bridge is torn down and rebuilt.

During all phases of construction, Route 54 and