US Bridges

Rising Sun Lane over Brandywine Creek

FairPosted for load

New Castle County, Delaware · N/W Wilmington · Structure no. 1001 279

Built
1928
97 years old, rebuilt 1979
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
129 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,103
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rising Sun Lane over Brandywine Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Rising Sun Lane over Brandywine Creek in New Castle County, Delaware. It was built in 1928 and reconstructed in 1979, so it is 97 years old, older than the Delaware average of 47.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 2,103 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,970 by 2042. The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesRising Sun Lane
CrossesBrandywine Creek
LocationN/W Wilmington
RouteCounty Highway 279
CountyNew Castle County
StateDelaware
Coordinates39.7693, -75.5767
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating28.2 US tons
Inventory rating21.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length129 ft (39.3 m)
Longest span123 ft (37.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deck14 ft (4.3 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,103 (2023)
Projected traffic2,970 by 2042
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$522,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rising Sun Lane over Brandywine Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1979.

What condition is Rising Sun Lane over Brandywine Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does Rising Sun Lane over Brandywine Creek carry?

About 2,103 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Rising Sun Lane over Brandywine Creek?

The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long with a longest span of 123 ft (37.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Rising Sun Lane over Brandywine Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.