Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) has awarded the contract to Modjeski & Masters, which will design a vessel collision protection system for the northbound and southbound structures of the bridge.
Modjeski & Masters will design new pier protection cells and replace the channel-side fender system for the tower piers. The existing fender system is original to each of the spans and inadequate to protect the bridge from collisions with modern cargo ships.
The design will protect the Delaware Memorial Bridge from a vessel collision in the range of 156,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT), travelling at a speed of approximately seven knots.
The work is being caried out to satisfy a federal mandate to enhance protection for critical bridges around the country. The Delaware Memorial Bridges carries Interstate 295, connecting travellers from New York City to Washington, DC, and the New Jersey Turnpike.
The project is expected to cost about US$45 million.
