This Fall starting after Labor Day, DRBA’s contractor UHPC Solutions will be performing the work of replacing 46 bridge joints in the right two lanes on the Northbound DMB. The work involves removal of the old joints and installation of the new joints together with concrete work adjoining the joints.

Construction is expected to start on September 7, 2026 and be completed by November 24, 2026. During this period, the right two lanes on the northbound DMB will be closed 24/7 to all traffic. The left two lanes will remain open to traffic and there will also be an additional Cars-Only Lane diverted over the southbound DMB.

For more information, please read the press release published on August 4, 2026.

Motorist Guidance

• NJ Turnpike & US-40 Bound Passenger Cars: Motorists using the barrier-separated contra-flow bypass lane on the southbound span can help minimize traffic congestion on the New Jersey bound bridge and can easily merge directly onto the NJ Turnpike and US-40.
• US-130 / RT-49 & Local NJ Destinations: Passenger cars and commercial vehicles heading toward US-130, RT-49, or other local exits must remain in the open northbound lanes on the main northbound span. No access is available to these exits from the Contra-Flow Bypass Lane.
• Commercial Traffic: All trucks, buses, and oversized vehicles must remain in the two open left lanes of the northbound span.

While DRBA engineers have designed the traffic pattern to maximize capacity and minimize disruption, motorists should anticipate delays heading northbound into New Jersey, particularly during peak morning and evening commute times and busy weekend hours.

To facilitate construction while maintaining regional traffic flow, the project will implement a new traffic pattern between September 7, 2026, and November 24, 2026:

• Northbound Span (NJ-Bound): Continuous 24/7 double lane closures will be in place on the northbound structure. The two left northbound lanes will remain open on the New Jersey-bound span for all traffic types.
• Southbound Span (DE-Bound) Contra-Flow Bypass Lane: To maintain overall crossing capacity, a dedicated barrier-separated bypass contra-flow lane will be established on the exterior lane of the Delaware-bound span. This bypass lane is strictly designated for passenger vehicles destined for the NJ Turnpike or US Route 40 traffic only. Tractor-trailers, trucks and other commercial vehicles are prohibited from using this bypass lane.
• Southbound Traffic (DE-Bound): Three (3) right lanes on the Delaware-bound span will remain open for southbound traffic into Delaware (I-95 and I-495). The left lane will be cordoned off for use as the contra-flow bypass lane.

Commuters are urged to exercise caution, stay alert in construction zones, obey posted speed limits, and plan extra travel time. For real-time traffic updates and project details, follow the Delaware Memorial Bridge on X (formerly Twitter) @demembridge.