US Bridges

Northeast Blvd over Brandywine River

Fair

New Castle County, Delaware · Wilmington · Structure no. 1577 050

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 1994
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
321 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
16,007
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Northeast Blvd over Brandywine River is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Northeast Blvd over Brandywine River in New Castle County, Delaware. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 1994, so it is 93 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.

It carries about 16,007 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 21,988 by 2042. The structure is 321 ft (97.8 m) long and 63 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesNortheast Blvd
CrossesBrandywine River
LocationWilmington
RouteU.S. Route 13
CountyNew Castle County
StateDelaware
Coordinates39.74334, -75.53745
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating42.9 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+6 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length321 ft (97.8 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width63 ft (19.1 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16,007 (2023)
Projected traffic21,988 by 2042
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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$3 million
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Northeast Blvd over Brandywine River built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1994.

What condition is Northeast Blvd over Brandywine River 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Northeast Blvd over Brandywine River carry?

About 16,007 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Northeast Blvd over Brandywine River?

The structure is 321 ft (97.8 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 63 ft wide.

Who owns Northeast Blvd over Brandywine River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.