The existing bridge that crosses the Indian River connecting Bethany Beach and Dewey Beach has suffered from tidal erosion, because exposure of the steel 'H' piles to salt water has caused problems and it has come to the end of its useful life.
The current three-span concrete deck bridge only has support piers in the water and no supporting towers; it is still in use while the new structure is being built, and receives annual bathymetric inspections, as well as constant monitoring by the University of Delaware (pier sensors and sonar monitoring). The bridge was initially planned to open in 2011, but due to some constructional defects the opening will now take place during 2012. The old bridge will eventually be dismantled.
The construction of the new bridge is expected to cost an estimated $150m, a figure which has gone $20m over the original estimate and has caused some controversy.
A problem with the construction of the ramps (to lead into the new bridge) in 2006 has led to a change in the ramp design. In the original design, the ramps were sinking more than required.
The new ramp design includes piers instead (piles sunk into soil). The fault was blamed on a geotechnical survey carried out prior to the ramp construction. To involve the public in the design of the new bridge DelDOT called for a public vote between 27 April and 11 May 2009 on the choice of lighting fixtures on the pedestrian walkways, the colour of the cable stays, and the design on top of the pylons.
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Would be neat to put a toll on it and let the people using it pay for it.
ReplyDelete137-Just what we need, another toll bridge.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bridge, went over it a few months back heading up to my favorite tackle shop.