The eastern bypass of Wilmington, Delaware, Interstate 495 is officially designated the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The six lane freeway carries a 65 mph speed limit and offers five mainline interchanges to serve the Wilmington metropolitan area. The route offers Philadelphia based traffic interests an efficient way to bypass the Wilmington city core and associated traffic jams.
History
Opened to traffic in 1978, Interstate 495 was constructed with six lanes from the beginning while Interstate 95 only retained four. The route carried Interstate 95 shields for two years between 1980 and 1982. This designation switch coincided with a major reconstruction of the depressed freeway and viaduct of Interstate 95 in the city of Wilmington. At that time, Interstate 95 through the city carried the moniker of Interstate 895. Upon completion of this lengthy project, Interstate 95 and 495 reverted to their original designations.
Interstate 495 straddles the Delaware River shoreline throughout most of its routing. The highway parallels U.S. 13/Governor Printz Boulevard to the west and the joint Amtrak and Norfolk-Southern Railroad lines to the east. The banks of the river are somewhat close to the six-lane freeway, thus offering motorists an unobstructed view of the New Jersey side of the river and community of Penns Grove.
Unfortunately concrete poured during the Interstate 495 initial construction and that of the nearby Delaware 141 Newport freeway proved to be defective and began to show signs of premature cracking by 1990. A massive reconstruction project began in 1992 to replace the concrete surface of the entire length of Interstate 495. Plagued by delays and a harsh winter of 1994, the construction project finished up over a year behind schedule. During the spring of 1994 construction barriers were finally removed with all of Interstate 495 resurfaced with new concrete. Delaware 141 saw the same rehabilitation project of its concrete between 1998-2000.
The freeway itself originally saw interchanges at U.S. 13/Dupont Highway (Exit 1), Delaware 9A (Exit 2), 12th Street (Exit 3), and U.S. 13 at Claymont (Exit 4). Planned in 1985 and completed by 1989, a new Exit 4 was opened at U.S. 13/Governor Printz Boulevard and Delaware 3/Marsh Road. The new junction serves the East-Lawn section of Wilmington and northeastern suburbs including Bellefonte and Edgemoor. Exit 4 of U.S. 13 at Claymont was redesignated Exit 5.
The 12th Street diamond interchange was a compromise of an abandoned freeway project for the city of Wilmington. Originally planned was a freeway spur from Interstate 495 west into the central business district along the 12th Street corridor. Dubbed the 12th Street Expressway, the highway met stiff opposition from communities affected and was therefore scrapped. The resultant 12th Street extension and Exit 3 diamond interchange is the result. The surface street carries two lanes as it departs the central business district through East-Lawn of Wilmington.
During the year 2000, Interstate 95 through north Wilmington to Claymont underwent a major reconstruction. The highway saw its 1968 concrete succumb to a disintegrated state during the 1990s. Therefore the Delaware Department of Transportation planned a rubblization of the existing concrete with a replacement consisting of a new type asphalt material. The project entailed closing one half of Interstate 95 for a three month stretch, with all through traffic detoured onto Interstate 495. As a result, Interstate 495 improvements included expansion of the northern and southern interchange lanes available to/from Interstate 95. Additionally access from U.S. 13 southbound at Exit 1 to Interstate 495 northbound was provided in the form of a new ramp. This
interchange expansion project wrapped up in June of 2000. Otherwise updated signs were installed at the southern terminus and reassurance shields replaced all along Interstate 495. The is significant because Interstate 495 before saw very inconsistent reassurance shields on its 11 plus mile routing.
Lastly,Interstate 495 was almost terminated in favor of a Interstate 95 relocation during the late 1990s. The debate culminated in 2000 with the beginning of the aforementioned reconstruction project. It was proposed by some Delaware politicians and county leaders that Interstate 95 be relocated along Interstate 495 and that existing Interstate 495 be either moved onto Interstate 95 or retired altogether in favor of a Business Loop I-95. City of Wilmington leaders contended that losing the Interstate 95 mainline would be a severe detriment to the local economy due to the loss of the Interstate 95 marquee. Nothing ever came of this proposal, and the designations remain as they were to this day. One other point worth mentioning is that the same politicians that proposed the Interstate 95/495 switch also proposed the creation of an Interstate 195 along present Interstate 95 with Interstate 95 following Interstate 495. This concept arose out of the announced plans of the pharmaceutical giant Astra-Zeneca to build a campus at the intersection of U.S. 202 and northern terminus of Delaware 141 at Blue Ball. The project would see the creation of 2,000 jobs and thus add additional traffic to already pressured Interstate 95 at Exit 8 and the Brandywine River Bridge.
Mileage
State
Mileage
Cities
Junctions
Delaware
11.47
Wilmington, Claymont
Interstate 95/Interstate 295, Interstate 95
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List
Interstate 495 Delaware Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)
The final interchanges on southbound Interstate 495 are: Exit 2, Junction Delaware 9A/Terminal Avenue to Delaware 9 and the Port of Wilmington; Exit 1, Junction U.S. 13/DuPont Highway (and Business U.S. 13/Market Street); Exit 0B, Junction Delaware 141; and Exit 0A, Junction Interstate 95 and Junction Interstate 295 north/U.S. 40 east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
The right lane becomes exit only from Interstate 495 south to Exit 2, Junction U.S. 13/DuPont Highway (and Business U.S. 13/Market Street). Use the left lane for the connection to Interstate 295/Delaware Memorial Bridge; all other lanes connect to Interstate 95 south. There is no access to Interstate 95 north. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
Southbound Interstate 495 approaches its final exit: Exit 1, Junction U.S. 13/DuPont Highway (and Business U.S. 13/Market Street). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
After the U.S. 13/Dupont Highway interchange (Exit 1), all three lanes of Interstate 495 partition into (from left to right) Interstate 295 north (left lane), southbound Interstate 95 (middle two lanes), and U.S. 202 south/Delaware 141 (right lane). The sign bridge in the 1998 photograph displays only one lane for Interstate 95. This changed in 2000 with the restriping of the southern terminus to allow for two through lanes to Interstate 95 (see 2005 photograph). Photo taken by Jim K. Georges (07/98) and Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
There is one additional advance sign for the exit ramp to Delaware 141 ... but this is actually a connection to a collector-distributor lane, which means this exit (which is signed as "To Exit 5") can also be used to connect to Interstate 95 south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
Southbound Interstate 495 ends as the right lane exits to the collector-distributor lanes of Interstate 95, while the left lane exits to Interstate 295 north to New Jersey and the middle two lanes transition directly onto Interstate 95/Delaware Turnpike south to Delaware 1 and Baltimore. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
Perspective from Interstate 95 north
The first of several sign bridges along Interstate 95 northbound for the pending splits of Interstate 295 and 495. The overpass above is that of Delaware 58 - Churchman's Road. Ahead is the eight-lane causeway that carries Interstate 95 over the Christiana Marsh. The watershed is part of the Artesian Water supply for the Wilmington metropolitan area. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (03/00).
The right two lanes exit onto Interstate 295, which follows the Delaware Memorial Bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey. Upon entering New Jersey, Interstate 295 will immediately split into the New Jersey Turnpike north (most direct route to New York City), U.S. 40 east, and Interstate 295 north to Camden and Trenton. The left three lanes will connect to Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 north to Wilmington and Philadelphia. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
After crossing the marsh, Interstate 95 approaches the junction with U.S. 202 and Delaware 141 (Exits 5A-B). Delaware 141 follows an expressway (near freeway alignment) for several miles, then reverts to a suburban roadway. This interchange is generally very busy. The Interstate 295 junction is just ahead. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Interstate 95 north connects with U.S. 202 and Delaware 141 south at Exit 5A. From here, Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 north will join together; they will split at Exit 8 near downtown Wilmington. Lane allocations are provided for the upcoming junction with Interstate 295 north to U.S. 40 east to New Jersey and New York. Stay left for Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 north to Wilmington and Philadelphia, respectively. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Interstate 295 begins at this gore point of Interstate 95 northbound (Exit 5C). This scene shows a fair amount of traffic incoming from around the Delaware 141 interchange. However, even this amount of traffic is not as much on a typical commuting day. In fact, this section of freeway regularly sees traffic counts over 150,000 per day. During peak travel times, such as holidays and summer weekends, it is not uncommon to find traffic delays of Interstate 295 bleed onto Interstate 95 from this point westward two to three miles. Lost in the blitz of this split, is Exit 5B for the northbound Delaware 141 freeway. The cloverleaf ramp branches from Interstate 295 in about one-fourth of a mile. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Continuing beyond the gore point, Interstate 95 prepares to split with Interstate 495, the eastern bypass for the city of Wilmington. To the right, two northbound lanes of Interstate 295 see a reassurance panel, as southbound Delaware 141 scoots overhead. In the background is the Exit 5B off-ramp to Delaware 141 northbound. Traffic to/from Delaware 141 to Interstate 295 northbound utilizes a collector-distributor roadway. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Interstate 295 parallels Interstate 95 closely in a configuration that resembles a dual freeway; however, traffic in the lanes for Interstate 295 cannot easily reconnect to Interstate 95. The offramp to northbound Delaware 141 is available only from the Interstate 295 northbound lanes. Now that traffic for Interstate 295 north and Delaware 141 north have split off, the next route division is just ahead: Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 now prepare to split. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
This is a closer view of the same sign as the previous photograph, looking solely at the lanes for northbound Interstate 95. The final exit of this major interchange (consisting of Delaware 141/U.S. 202, Interstate 295, and Interstate 495) is Exit 5D, Junction Interstate 495 north. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
For Interstate 95 north, use the left lanes; for Interstate 495/bypass north, use the right lanes. The split between the two routes is just ahead. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
When Interstate 95 was reconstructed in 2000, new signs were installed along northbound Interstate 05 at Interstate 495 north (Exit 5D). The new signs were placed to increase the lane allocation to Interstate 495 of Interstate 95 from two to three lanes. This increased expansion was hoped to lure more through traffic motorists from Interstate 95 through Wilmington to the 65 MPH bypass. The sign in 2000 only had two lanes connecting to Interstate 495; by 2001, the third arrow for the Interstate 495 north was added. Although three lanes are now allocated for Interstate 495/Wilmington Bypass, the left-hand lane is rarely used until after the gore point of Exit 5D. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05 and 03/00).
Interstate 495 branches to the northeast from Interstate 95/U.S. 202 northbound. The bypass not only allows for a 65 mph speed limit on its entire routing, but also allows commercial traffic easy access to the Port of Wilmington terminals from Exit 2/Delaware 9A. After the completion of the Interstate 95 reconstruction in 2001, three lanes for Interstate 495 northbound at Exit 5D remain. It should be noted that Delaware has eliminated some sign lighting on freeway guide signs. The fixtures and associated assemblies on this sign bridge remain from the previous set of signs. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05, 12/23/01 and 03/00).
Perspective from Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 south
Now traveling south on Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 through Wilmington, the next exit is a right-lane exit only connection to Delaware 52/Delaware Avenue at Exit 7. From there, the next three exits along southbound Interstate 95/Delaware Expressway are: Exit 6, Junction Delaware 4/Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; Exit (no exit number), Junction Interstate 295/Delaware Memorial Bridge to U.S. 40 east; and Exits 5B-A, Junction U.S. 202 and Delaware 141. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Southbound Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 meet Delaware 52/Delaware Avenue at Exits 7B-A, with Exit 7B connecting to northbound and Exit 7A connecting to southbound. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
The next exit is Exit 7A, Delaware 52 south to downtown Wilmington. Following that is Exit 6, Junction Delaware 4/Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Junction Delaware 9 (Fourth Street). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Through downtown Wilmington, Interstate 95 remains only four lanes (two in each direction). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Another mileage sign for southbound Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 is posted near the offramp for Exit 6, Junction Delaware 4 and Delaware 9. The next three exits after Exit 6 are: Exit (no exit number), Junction Interstate 295/Delaware Memorial Bridge to U.S. 40 east; Exits 5B-A, Junction U.S. 202 and Delaware 141; and Exit 4, Junction Delaware 1 south to Dover. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Meeting Delaware 4/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Delaware 9/Fourth Street at Exit 6, a standalone sign for Interstate 295 north is posted on the overpass. The junction with Interstate 295 is 2.50 miles south of Exit 6. Note that Exit 6 is the final downtown Wilmington interchange. Note that there is no connection to northbound Interstate 495 from southbound Interstate 95. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Since the Delaware Memorial Bridge plays such a pivotal role in the region, access to Interstate 295 northbound is granted from all directions. This sign bridge, posted on Interstate 95/U.S. 202 southbound, shows the lane allocation for the northbound return ramp to Interstate 295. This ramp however, is used more by Delawareans going to/from the New Castle region to/from work in the city of Wilmington, than it is by long-distance travelers to the state of New Jersey. Interstate 95 saw three lanes through this interchange up to 2000. When the 2000 reconstruction of Interstate 95 from the city of Wilmington northward began, Interstate 95 saw a reduction in lanes at this interchange from three to two southbound lanes. This lane striping was done to accommodate an additional southbound lane from Interstate 495 onto Interstate 95. Before the 2000 project began, only one lane facilitated traffic onto Interstate 95 directly from the six lane bypass of Wilmington. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
New guide sign as of Spring 2000 for Interstate 295 northbound from Interstate 95/U.S. 202 southbound. This exit is unnumbered but is technically Exit 5C in the northbound direction (Interstate 495 is Exit 5D). The results of the lane striping mentioned in the above photobox converted the left-hand lane into an exit-only affair for Interstate 295. Traffic continuing on Interstate 95 faces merging traffic from Interstate 495, Interstate 295, and U.S. 202/Delaware 141. This choke point results in daily delays during the afternoon peak hours of traffic. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Meanwhile, on the collector-distributor lanes for Interstate 95 south at Exits 5B-A, Junction U.S. 202 south and Junction Delaware 141 north/south, traffic from Interstate 495 merge onto southbound Interstate 95/Delaware Turnpike. This is the only indication that Interstate 495 traffic merges into Interstate 95. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
Perspective from Interstate 495 north
After departing from Interstate 95 north at Exit 5D, northbound Interstate 495 begins its journey north toward the Port of Wilmington (two miles) and around the city of Wilmington, offering a three-lane (six lanes total) bypass for the fastest route north to Philadelphia (30 miles). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
This unique guide sign identifies Interstate 495 north as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Note the use of patriotic colors and a wooden cross and wreath in front of the sign. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
The first exit on Interstate 495 north is Exit 1, Junction Business U.S. 13/Market Street. The ensuing interchanges are Exit 2, Junction Delaware 9A/Terminal Avenue to Delaware 9/New Castle Avenue and the Port of Wilmington; Exit 3, 12th Street; and Exit 4, Junction Delaware 3/Edgemoor Road. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05).
Nearing the final mainline interchange of Interstate 495 northbound: Exit 5 with U.S. 13/Philadelphia Pike at Claymont. From this point northbound Interstate 495 pull-through panels display Interstate 95 north with the associated control cities of Chester and Philadelphia. Featured to the right is the Claymont SEPTA (Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority) station for the R2 Regional Railroad line to Philadelphia. Photo taken by Doug Kerr (03/01).
Merging onto Interstate 95 northbound from Interstate 495. No end sign is present and the three lanes of Interstate 495 add onto the two lanes of Interstate 95 northbound for a quick choke point. Ahead is the Pennsylvania Welcome Center and Exit 1 for Chichester Avenue serving the Marcus Hook community. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (12/23/01).
Perspective from Interstate 95 north
The final exit on Interstate 95 north before the merge with Interstate 495 and the Delaware-Pennsylvania State Line is Exit 10, Harvey Road. There is no warning that Interstate 495 is about to merge onto Interstate 95; in fact, there is no connection from northbound Interstate 95 to southbound Interstate 495. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05).
Shortly after Exit 10, Harvey Road, northbound Interstate 95 merges with northbound Interstate 495. Traffic from Interstate 495 merges onto Interstate 95 from the right. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05).
After Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 merge together, Interstate 95 north crosses into Pennsylvania. This is the first pull-through sign on Interstate 95 upon entering the Keystone State. Although it comes close, Interstate 495 does not enter Pennsylvania. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05).
Perspective from Interstate 95 south
Now traveling south on Interstate 95/Delaware Expressway, the first appearance of Interstate 495 south is on this mileage sign in Pennsylvania. The final two exits in Pennsylvania are Exit 2, Junction Pennsylvania 452/Market Street and Exit 1, Chichester Avenue, followed by the split with Interstate 495 at the Pennsylvania-Delaware State Line. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 overhead on Interstate 95 southbound near Claymont (sign in question is actually in Pennsylvania). The "City/Port of" overlay on the sign was added during the Interstate 95 reconstruction of 2000. When Interstate 95 southbound was closed, all traffic was redirected along Interstate 495, including traffic destined for the city of Wilmington. To correct this, PENNDOT should remove the overlay. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
A second diagrammatical overhead is in place for the pending Interstate 95/495 southbound split. While the split is just across the Delaware state line, all but two of the signs associated with the bypass departure are posted in Pennsylvania. In the background is an Interstate 495 upcoming exits sign bridge. Included on Interstate 495 is the southbound access for Delaware 92/Naamans Road. This interchange is actually apart of Exit 11 of Interstate 95. However for southbound Interstate 95, traffic must use Interstate 495 briefly and depart from the bypass instead of the mainline. Therefore Delaware 92 is signed as Interstate 495 Exit 6 instead of Interstate 95 Exit 11 in this direction. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
The next sign in sequence advises of the first three exits found on southbound Interstate 495: Exit 6, Junction Delaware 92/Naamans Road; Exit 5, Junction U.S. 13/Philadelphia Pike; and Exit 4, Edgemoor Road. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
An aged and weathered Interstate 495 south trailblazer is posted on southbound Interstate 95 as we approach the split between the two freeways. Follow Interstate 95 to downtown Wilmington and Interstate 495 to east Wilmington and the port of Wilmington. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
The routes divide. The left two lanes follow Interstate 95 south into downtown Wilmington, and the right two lanes follow Interstate 495 south to bypass downtown and connect to the port areas. Interstate 95 crosses the Pennsylvania-Delaware state line at this point. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
Perspective from Interstate 495 south
Immediately upon splitting from Interstate 95, southbound Interstate 495 approaches its first interchange: Exit 6, Junction Delaware 92/Naamans Road. A welcome to Delaware sign can be seen on the left side of Interstate 495. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
Southbound Interstate 495 reaches Exit 6, Junction Delaware 92/Naamans Road. The next exit along southbound Interstate 495 is Exit 5, Junction U.S. 13/Philadelphia Pike. The pull-through sign advises of a new control city: the Delaware Memorial Bridge east to New Jersey. From here, Interstate 495 will travel southeast under Interstate 95. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
Perspective from Delaware 92/Naamans Road west
Traveling west on Delaware 92/Naamans Road, connections are afforded to northbound Interstate 95 to Chester and Philadelphia and to Interstate 95 south to downtown Wilmington. There is no connection to Interstate 495 south. Photo taken by Andy Field (07/27/07).
