State of Delaware Department of Transportation
07/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/21/2026 15:42
Statewide - DelDOT Implements Lane Reduction and Lower Weight Restriction on Wilmington Bridge
Effective Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will close a northbound lane and a southbound lane of Bridge 1-686, S. Walnut St. (US 13 Business) over Norfolk Southern railroad tracks in Wilmington and reduce the permitted maximum vehicle weight.
The lane closures and weight restriction are being implemented out of an abundance of caution after a maintenance inspection discovered increasing deterioration of some of the bridge's support columns. The bridge's age and the severe winter weather conditions earlier this year are contributing factors to the increased deterioration rate.
Keeping one lane open in each direction will reduce the amount of weight on the bridge while crews reinforce the support columns. During this time, the maximum vehicle weight allowed on the bridge will be reduced from 29 tons to 20 tons. The work to reinforce the identified columns is expected to take a couple of months, and delays can be expected while these lane restrictions are in place. A more definitive timeline will be shared once repair work is underway.
The S. Walnut Street (US 13 Business) Bridge was built in 1938, is approximately 853 feet long, and carries about 26,000 vehicles each day. The bridge had been identified for replacement in the coming years which will move forward upon completion of two significant sewer line projects by New Castle County.
Motorists in need of an alternate route can utilize I-95 when traveling to Downtown Wilmington.
The lane closures and weight restriction are being implemented out of an abundance of caution after a maintenance inspection discovered increasing deterioration of some of the bridge's support columns. The bridge's age and the severe winter weather conditions earlier this year are contributing factors to the increased deterioration rate.
Keeping one lane open in each direction will reduce the amount of weight on the bridge while crews reinforce the support columns. During this time, the maximum vehicle weight allowed on the bridge will be reduced from 29 tons to 20 tons. The work to reinforce the identified columns is expected to take a couple of months, and delays can be expected while these lane restrictions are in place. A more definitive timeline will be shared once repair work is underway.
The S. Walnut Street (US 13 Business) Bridge was built in 1938, is approximately 853 feet long, and carries about 26,000 vehicles each day. The bridge had been identified for replacement in the coming years which will move forward upon completion of two significant sewer line projects by New Castle County.
Motorists in need of an alternate route can utilize I-95 when traveling to Downtown Wilmington.
State of Delaware Department of Transportation published this content on July 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 21, 2026 at 21:43 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]