I-95 Reconstruction, Wilmington, Delaware
By Len Brooks and Dave McGuigan

The North-South Interstate highway on the eastern seaboard, commonly referred to as "I-95", passes through the northern part of Delaware. The Delaware section, specifically the northern end from the Pennsylvania line down through Wilmington, has been patched, grooved and experienced shoulder reconstruction, but little else, since it was built about 30 years ago.

I-95 Reconstruction, Wilmington, Delaware
In order to reconstruct this roadway and provide a safe work zone, a phased plan was developed to shut-down approximately seven miles of the highway. Major factors that influenced this decision were time of rehabilitation, public safety, re-routing of traffic, production and worker safety. By completely closing the northbound or southbound highway, construction time was estimated to be 7 months rather than the proposed 2 to 3 years.

The plan was to first close southbound traffic, rubblize the existing concrete, re-compact the crushed material, pave the surface with asphalt, re-open to traffic and then repeat the process on the northbound side. In the midst of the resurfacing, there were also fourteen bridge decks that were resurfaced as well as rebuilding the approach slabs. The value of the project was approximately $25,000,000 with a bonus for completing each of the four phases within certain time parameters.

The key to the project, as far as the public was concerned, was how do they get to where they need to be with this major corridor closed. In order to facilitate this, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) took a leading role to get the word out. With an all out publicity program at an estimated cost of $1,000,000, DelDOT advertised, increased public transit programs and proposed alternate routes.

The result of all this preplanning and good scheduling became known as "The Nightmare that Never Happened". Proper advance warning, proper signage, and a joint effort between DelDOT and George & Lynch, Inc. made for a successful, accident free project viewed as a huge success by the public and all parties involved.

RUBBLIZING EXISTING PAVEMENT

I-95 RECONSTRUCTION QUANTITIES
Excavation - 72,000 CY
Hot Mix - 220,000 Tons
Crushed Aggregate - 100,000 Tons
Guardrail - 60,000 LF
Bridges (14) - 675 CY Latex
Rubblization - 200,000 SY
P.C.C. Curbs - 24,000 LF
Catch Basins - 100 EA
Drainage Pipes - 3200 LF
Seed & Mulch - 135,000 SY
Under drain - 60,000 LF
Paint Striping - 215,000 LF
Electric - $1,400,000
Approach Slabs - 1000 CY

Surveying for New Bridge Decks
New Concrete Approach Slabs
I 95 Reconstruction Activity