WILMINGTON, DE — The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has awarded a contract to A-Del Construction for the much-anticipated replacement of the Bancroft Bridge in Alapocas Run State Park. Scheduled to begin on October 1, the project is expected to conclude by April 2025.
The existing bridge has been closed since September 2021 after sustaining irreparable damage from Hurricane Ida’s floodwaters. Its replacement has been a top priority for DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation.
A $2.7 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is funding the project. This grant was secured with the assistance of U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, along with Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. Governor John Carney expressed gratitude for the federal support, stating, “The reopening of the Bancroft Bridge will benefit everyone who lives and visits the City of Wilmington. I’m grateful to FEMA for helping our community reconnect.”
DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin emphasized the bridge’s importance, noting, “This bridge is a critical connector at the heart of Wilmington and its closure has a great impact on the day-to-day lives of many people who live, work and visit this city. We look forward to work beginning in October.”
The construction will start on the south side of Brandywine Creek, demolishing the end section of the existing structure before building the new bridge abutment. The process will then transition to the north side before the central section is replaced with a prefabricated structure.
Updates and potential impacts on Alapocas Run State Park’s trail system will be shared on the park’s Facebook page, ensuring the community stays informed throughout the construction process.
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