Old Indian River Inlet Bridge Vanishing As Summer Visitors Arrive

The steel spans have been removed, crews to begin dismantling cement piers
Dover -- Throughout Memorial Day Weekend, demolition crews continued to dismantle the old Inlet River Inlet Bridge, planning to have the entire structure removed, including four cement piers by this July 4th holiday. Mindful of the return of summer boaters, however, state agencies are making certain the work does not close the inlet to marine traffic. 

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) contractors moved the final span from the old bridge earlier this week, so that it no longer is hanging over the water. Crews will fully remove the rest of the steel structure later this week.

In addition to removing the final span, crews will also begin removing the four cement piers that stand in the inlet. The piers will be dismantled piece by piece and loaded into a barge tied alongside as a work platform.

While this work will require partial closure of the inlet to boating traffic, there are no plans to close the entire inlet at any time. In addition, this work will not require overhead clearance or water depth restrictions for boats. No disruptions to motor vehicle traffic are expected.