Work begins Aug. 5 to create a third lane on I-295. Delaware Department of Transportation
There’s some relief on the way for notorious New Castle County traffic jams that at their worst start on Interstate 295, move for several miles down to Interstate 95 and even extend to Route 1.
The relief – due next year – involves construction of a third I-295 northbound travel lane from Route 141 to Route 13.
Improvements will also be made to the off- and on-ramps to I-295 northbound.
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The $21.5 million project covers a 2.5-mile stretch that averages 113,000 vehicles a day.
Work begins on Monday, Aug. 5, and is expected to be completed by fall 2025, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation.
First, some exit closures to watch out for. The Route 141 southbound exit 2 to I-295 northbound and I-295 northbound exit 5B will close from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Aug. 5-9, and it will be closed completely from 8 p.m. Aug. 9 to 5 a.m. Aug. 12.
These closures are needed to install drainage systems along I-295 northbound, according to DelDOT.
Traffic often backs up on I-95, south of Wilmington, on weekday mornings, according to DelDOT, with commuters heading north into Wilmington and Philadelphia and on summer weekends with people heading north into northern Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and points further north.
At it worst, traffic can be at a standstill.
The massive project is divided into multiple phases, with work – and detours – varying as the construction zone is adjusted.
FAQ on I-295 work
A page of frequently asked questions from DelDOT offers these answers:
Closures and lane restrictions are needed during nights, weekends and extended closures to complete project construction. Detours will be provided when closures occur.
Three ramps will be closed for months.
- Exit 5A, Airport Road, will be closed for two months.
- The southbound Route 141 ramp onto northbound I-295 will be closed for six months.
- The northbound I-295 ramp to northbound Route 13 will be closed for eight months.
I-95 and I-295 northbound travel lanes will remain open for the duration of the project, except for limited overnight closures and unplanned traffic accidents. Installing new overhead sign structures will require closing the interstates at night as it is unsafe for vehicles to proceed through the work zone with heavy equipment setting the sign members.
Highlights of the I-295 work
DelDOT’s website for the project gives this overview:
- Reconstruction and pavement widening along I-95 northbound to add a sixth travel lane and I-295 northbound to add a third travel lane from Airport Road, Exit 5A to Route 13.
- Reconfiguring the I-95 northbound, Exit 5A, Airport Road to a roundabout to facilitate easier traffic operations at the intersection for motorists.
- Reconfiguring and lengthening the acceleration lane onto I-295 northbound from southbound Route 141, Exit 2 for improved safety and operation.
- Reconfiguring the Route 13 interchange. Two ramps, one from I-495 southbound and another from I295 northbound converge to a single lane for a short distance to access Route 13 northbound or I-295 northbound ramps. The project proposes maintaining two ramp lanes in this area to lengthen the weave condition for improved operation and safety
- Upgrading overhead signage and lighting.
- Installing a new overhead variable message sign.
- Constructing one retaining wall to minimize environmental impacts.
- Improving drainage.
- Constructing a stormwater facility adjacent to the Airport Road roundabout to collect and manage runoff from storms.
- Incorporating new intelligent transportation system devices.
“This will mark the first major I-95 expansion in the area since the completion of the 5th Lane Project in 2008, which put a major dent into decades-old daily backups on I-95 Northbound approaching the Christiana Mall area at morning rush hours,” WDEL reported.
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