DELAWARE - Strategically positioned on the Eastern Seaboard, relies on significant bridges to connect its communities and facilitate travel, particularly across the broad Delaware River. Among these impressive structures, the Delaware Memorial Bridge holds the title of the state's longest bridge, considering its total length and extensive approach spans.
Delaware Memorial Bridge: Spanning the River as Delaware's Longest Bridge
This iconic twin-suspension bridge is a prominent landmark and a vital transportation link between Delaware and New Jersey.
Measuring the Champion: Total Length Matters
Determining the "longest" bridge can sometimes depend on the measurement used (main span vs. total length). The Delaware Memorial Bridge's claim rests on its impressive overall reach.
- Total Length: The bridge complex, including the approaches leading to the main spans, stretches approximately 2.5 miles (around 13,200 feet) across the Delaware River.
- Dual Spans: The Delaware Memorial Bridge consists of two parallel suspension bridges. Each individual span measures 3,650 feet from anchorage to anchorage.
- Main Spans: The primary suspended sections between the main towers (main spans) are 2,150 feet each.
- Approaches: Significant approach spans on the Delaware and New Jersey sides contribute to the bridge's overall length, adding an additional 750 feet on each side of the main spans.
Comparison with Other Notable Delaware Bridges
While other bridges in Delaware are significant engineering feats, they fall short of the Delaware Memorial Bridge's total length:
- Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge (C&D Canal): This cable-stayed bridge has a total length of 4,650 feet.
- St. Georges Bridge (C&D Canal): This tied-arch bridge measures 4,209 feet long.
- Indian River Inlet Bridge (Charles W. Cullen Bridge): This coastal cable-stayed bridge is 2,600 feet long.
A Vital Link and Memorial
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is more than just a long structure; it's a critical transportation artery.
- Connecting States: It carries Interstate 295 and US Route 40, connecting Delaware and southern New Jersey, serving millions of vehicles annually.
- Memorial Status: As its name implies, the bridge is a memorial dedicated to soldiers from Delaware and New Jersey who died in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.
When considering the total length from the beginning of its approach to the end, the Delaware Memorial Bridge is the longest in Delaware. Its iconic twin suspension spans, vital role connecting two states across the Delaware River, and its status as a solemn memorial make it a significant landmark for both Delaware and New Jersey. While other bridges may have longer individual main spans elsewhere in the world, the comprehensive structure of the Delaware Memorial Bridge secures its title as the longest in the First State.
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Sources:
- Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA)
- Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)
- Bridge engineering databases (e.g., National Bridge Inventory)
- Historical societies of New Castle County, Delaware, and Salem County, New Jersey
