Update -- Closure Of Southbound Rt.141 Bridge Over U.S. 13

Wilmington -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that both lanes of the southbound Route 141 bridge over U.S. Route 13 will be closed beginning at 9 a.m., Wednesday morning, July 22, 2009. A detour is in place.

The closure was made necessary by a two-foot diameter pothole that was discovered on Thursday, July 16th in the right lane of the bridge deck. Canal District Maintenance personnel closed the lane to traffic, and DelDOT inspectors immediately inspected the hole. A steel plate was placed over the pothole and the lane was closed until a more thorough inspection could be conducted on Monday, July 20th. That inspection confirmed that the concrete deck would require patching. Because of the proximity of the hole to the southbound left lane, a full closure of the southbound bridge lanes is needed. While the closure is in effect, DelDOT crews will also patch other nearby areas.

The bridge was inspected as recently as May 2008, and while some surface deterioration was noted, it was not cause for immediate concern. DelDOT Bridge Maintenance personnel indicate that the pothole was caused by water getting into an expansion joint since an overlay was placed on the bridge surface over five years ago.

The recommended detour is as follows:

Route 141 soutbound to U.S. Route 13 southbound.
U.S. Route 13 southbound to Route 273 eastbound.
Route 273 eastbound to Route 141.

Detour signs will be posted in the area. Drivers should plan alternate routes in order to avoid delays in the area.

The closure is expected to last at least two weeks.