Delaware Holds Second Public Workshop About Upcoming Middleford Bridge Replacement

This was the second public workshop on the project upriver of Seaford. It was held on February 18. This meeting was meant to inform the public about different concepts they have for replacing the old narrow concrete bridge. The approaches to the bridge will be widened, like they proposed two years ago. They have put aside for now changes to the nearby Middleford Road - Old Furnace Road intersection. Apparently there has been an insufficient lack of enthusiasm for a roundabout there.

According to Delaware's Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs the bridge has a status of being "determined eligible" for the National Register of Historic Places.

DelDOT has not decided what the sides of the bridge will look like. They presented three concepts, all using precast concrete. Only one will retain the pretty arch shape of the existing, built in 1919. The other two have the traditional rectangular opening. They are planning to use retaining walls for the bridge approaches on each side to limit wetland impacts. Several large trees along the roadway would be cut down for this project. The National Wetlands Inventory map shows a lot of forested freshwater wetlands next to the bridge approaches.

At the 2024 workshop, one or two people pushed the idea of a temporary bridge alongside the new bridge to avoid the need for a detour. Such a thing would have a major negative environmental impact, not to mention more taking of private property. DelDOT thankfully does NOT consider this to be a feasible option.

Construction is now roughly planned to begin in 2031. Detours around the bridge project would be in place for six months. They recognize that environmental permits will be needed.

They asked for written comments at the end and we stressed the need to limit environmental impacts.