October 29, 2004

Castle, Hocker announce additional federal funding coming to Sussex County for Indian River Inlet Bridge Project

SUSSEX COUNTY, DE -- In a phone call with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta, Delaware Congressman Mike Castle learned that $200,000 in extra federal funding will be committed to the replacement of the Indian River Inlet Bridge in Sussex County, Delaware. This news, announced by Castle and State Representative Gerald Hocker comes 2 weeks after the groundbreaking for the project and is in addition to the $7.55 million the Delegation has already secured in federal funding.

" Today's news from Secretary Mineta is proof of the federal government's dedication to ensuring a swift replacement of the Indian River Inlet Bridge to provide a safe crossing for all Delawareans and visitors who come to our beaches. Considering that the federal share of this project is 80 percent, I am pleased we have been successful in advocating for continued federal funds and this extra $200,000 will provide an added boost to funding the Delegation has already secured," Castle said. "Our goal in completing this bridge -- the largest bridge of its kind -- should be to make this the most secure, best constructed bridge of its kind as well."

"The Indian River Inlet Bridge is a high traffic bridge that must be made as secure as possible. This bridge has special meaning to my family as my grandfather was the bridge tender in 1948 and we have seen the changes in the role this bridge plays in the Sussex Community. More than ever it is critical to commerce and travel and this new bridge is going to the area. I appreciate everything Congressman Castle is doing to secure this funding and I appreciate his willingness to work with me and Senator Bunting to make this a reality," Hocker said.

Castle and Senators Biden and Carper secured $3.5 million in Fiscal Year 2003 and $4.05 million in Fiscal Year 2004 to replace the Indian River Inlet Bridge. The existing Indian River Inlet Bridge is in need a replacement due to serious scour problems at its abutments. The new bridge, which will be a unique single-plane cable supported concrete tied arch with a 1000-foot span with two 150-foot back spans, will carry two 12-foot lanes in each direction and a 12-foot sidewalk on the east side.

This project will consist of the design, installation, and monitoring of the bridge via a variety of instrumentation methods in order to obtain information on the true behavior and performance of this one-of-a-kind structure that falls outside the scope and limits of existing bridge design standards. It will be conducted in partnership by DelDOT, The University of Delaware, and the Federal Highway Administration.