Interstate 495 Delaware

History

Southern Terminus

Northern Terminus

Routing

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.

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.

Highway Guides

• Interstate 495 Delaware

For historical perspectives of the Interstate 495's termini, including older signs and ramp configurations, please see the Delaware Highways Pages:

• Interstate 95 North
• Interstate 295 South
• Interstate 495 North
• Interstate 495 South

See also Delaware 141 south for perspectives of its ramp for Interstate 295 north.

	Southern Terminus - Interstate 95 and Interstate 295 - Newport, Delaware Perspective from Interstate 495 south 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). 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). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05). The ramp to the Exit 5 collector-distributor lanes of Interstate 95 (to U.S. 202 south / Delaware 141) depart Interstate 495 as the freeway prepares to merge onto the Interstate 95 mainline. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/18/05). Interstate 495 ends; 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 03/27/04. Perspective from Interstate 95 north The first in a series of sign bridges with Interstates 95, 295, 495, and the New Jersey Turnpike. Interstate 95 maintains eight lanes of travel from the Delaware Turnpike toll plaza eastward to Exit 4 and ten lanes from Delaware 1 & 7 to the split with Interstate 295. The split itself sees two lanes allocated for Interstate 295 and three for Interstates 95 and 495. Since this is such a pivotal location of traffic movement between the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with motorists departing Interstate 95 for the Delaware Memorial Bridge versus those continuing to Wilmington and Philadelphia, many signs are posted to ensure that motorists move into the proper lane for the route in which they intend to take. Ahead is the ten-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 & Brent Ivy (12/29/08). 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 four lanes will connect to Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 north to Wilmington and Philadelphia. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Brent Ivy (12/29/08). After crossing the marsh, Interstate 95 approaches the junction with U.S. 202 and Delaware 141 (Exits 5A-B). This interchange is generally very busy and lies within the overall junctions of Interstates 95-295-495. Interstate 95 north connects with U.S. 202 and Delaware 141 south at Exit 5A; Interstate 295 provides access to Delaware 141 north via Exit 5B. U.S. 202 north joins Interstate 95 north from Delaware 141 to their split at Exit 8 near downtown Wilmington. Lane allocations are provided after the Exit 5A departure for the upcoming junction with Interstate 295 north to U.S. 40 east to New Jersey and New York. Stay left for Interstate 95 & U.S. 202 and Interstate 495 north to Wilmington and Philadelphia, respectively. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Brent Ivy (12/29/08). Interstate 295 begins at this gore point of Interstate 95 northbound (Exit 5C). Widening of Interstate 95 between 2007-08 expanded the split to add an additional northbound lane for Interstates 95 & 495. The busy junction 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. Also note that motorists bound for Exit 5B for the northbound Delaware 141 freeway must use Interstate 295 briefly. A collector/distributor roadway branches from Interstate 295 in about one-fourth of a mile for the state route. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Brent Ivy (12/29/08). Interstate 95 gains U.S. 202 north from Delaware 141 north as the freeway paralells the fledgling Interstate 295. Beyond the Delaware 141 northbound overpass, Interstate 95 north begins to curve northeast and approach the split with Interstate 495. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman / Brent Ivy (12/22/08). When Interstate 95 was reconstructed in 2000, new signs were installed along northbound Interstate 95 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 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. 2007-08 construction expanded the split even further to three lanes for both freeways. New signs featuring Clearview font went up in 2008. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman / Brent Ivy (12/22/08). 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. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman / Brent Ivy (12/22/08). Perspective from Interstate 295 south Interstate 295 leaves the interchange with U.S. 13 & 40 and approaches the junction with Intestate 495 north, Interstate 95, and Delaware 141. The interchange with U.S. 13 (DuPont Highway) opened in 1951; the freeway west to Interstate 95 opened in 1961. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/19/07). A ramp onto Interstate 495's northbound beginning departs Interstate 295 south. Interstate 495 constitutes an 11-mile long six-lane bypass of Wilmington. The freeway serves the city port and older developments along U.S. 13 (Governor Printz Boulevard) leading into Claymont. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/19/07). Northern Terminus - Interstate 95 - Claymont, Delaware Perspective from Interstate 495 north 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 Alex Nitzman & Brent Ivy (12/22/08). Approaching the exit 5 diamond interchange with U.S. 13 (Philadelphia Pike) at Claymont. U.S. 13 parallels Interstate 495 much of its length int he Wilmington area. Northward, the highway enters Marcus Hook and industrial areas along the Delaware River. Interstate 495 defaults onto Interstaet 95 north in 0.75 miles. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Brent Ivy (12/22/08) Exit 5 departs Interstate 495 northbound; the freeway ends ahead at a partial "Y" interchange at the Pennsylvania state line. Interstate 95 continues five miles to Chester. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Brent Ivy (12/22/08). 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).

Page Updated July 1, 2009.