Interstate 495 (Delaware)
Encyclopedia
Interstate 495 in Delaware is a six-lane bypass
of Interstate 95
around the city of Wilmington, Delaware
. Built in the mid-1970s and opened as the "Wilmington Bypass", the highway became, between 1978 and 1982, the route of I-95 around Wilmington, while the original highway through the city, redesignated as Interstate 895, was reconstructed at the Wilmington Viaduct. In 1982, I-95 was rerouted back onto the original highway, and the bypass became I-495 again. A similar occurrence happened in 2000 when I-95 was closed off for a total rebuilding project between U.S. Route 202
and the Pennsylvania
state line.
Although it is the most recent of Delaware's three Interstate Highways, I-495 was rebuilt in the mid-1990s when the concrete surface, developed in France
, failed prematurely and had to be totally replaced in sections, resulting in one-lane operations for nearly four years (a similar total rebuilding project had to be done on Delaware Route 141
in Newport
in the early 2000s). In addition, the bridge over the Christina River
, at the Port of Wilmington, suffered severe damage when a truck went over the side of the bridge and exploded on impact, damaging support beams, and forcing traffic onto I-95, creating traffic snarls on the four-lane highway.
As a major bypass, officials in the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has encouraged through traffic (by placing the "Baltimore" and "Philadelphia
" control cities
on its green signs) to use I-495 instead of I-95, as it has six lanes and a higher speed limit (65 mph instead of 55 mi/h on I-95). Since 2000, DelDOT officials have proposed rerouting I-95 back onto I-495 in the same arrangement used between 1978 and 1982, and renaming the current I-95 through Wilmington as Business 95, like that on Interstate 83
in York, Pennsylvania
. The mayor of Wilmington staunchly rejected the proposal. (Notice: Not all of Business 83 in York, PA is expressway.)
/US 202
and I-295 near Newport
, heading to the east on a six-lane freeway. (At the southern terminus, southbound I-495 also has a ramp that provides easier access to the DE 141
interchange along I-95.) The route runs between the Christina River
to the north and a landfill to the south prior to reaching an interchange with US 13
to the north of Wilmington Manor
. Past this, the highway enters industrial areas and reaches the DE 9A exit near the Port of Wilmington
, turning to the northeast. I-495 crosses over the Christina River into the eastern part of Wilmington
and passes near another landfill as it comes to the Twelfth Street exit. The road runs through some marshland before coming to an interchange in industrial Edgemoor
that connects to the southern terminus of DE 3
as well as to US 13. Following this interchange, I-495 runs between US 13 and suburban areas to the west and Amtrak
’s Northeast Corridor
and the Delaware River
to the east. I-495 continues along this configuration until it reaches Claymont
. US 13 heads farther west from the freeway and I-495 makes a turn to the north away from the railroad tracks and the river near the Claymont SEPTA station
. The road comes to another exit for US 13 before merging into I-95 at the DE 92
interchange near the Tri-State Mall
and the Pennsylvania
border.
Southbound, the I-495 splitoff from I-95 actually starts in Pennsylvania, but crosses into Delaware before the exit to DE 92.
.
{| class=wikitable
!Location
!Mile
!Exit
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|Newport
|0.00
|
|, Baltimore
|Southern terminus
|-
|
|
|
|Southbound exit; eliminates weaving btwn I-95/I-495 jct & DE 141
|-
|
|5C
| - Del Mem Br
, New Jersey
-New York
|Southbound exit
|-
|Minquadale
|1.98
|1
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Wilmington
|2.97
|2
|
|
|-
|4.45
|3
|12th Street
|
|-
|5.97
|4
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Claymont
|10.83
|5
|
|
|-
|
|6
|
|Southbound exit
|-
|11.47
|
| - Chester
, Philadelphia
|Northern terminus
Bypass (road)
A bypass is a road or highway that avoids or "bypasses" a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety....
of Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Delaware
In Delaware, Interstate 95 runs diagonally from the border with Maryland northeast to the border with Pennsylvania. Between the Maryland state line and exit 5, I-95 is also designated as the Delaware Turnpike and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. Along with its auxiliaries, I-95 is the only...
around the city of Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
. Built in the mid-1970s and opened as the "Wilmington Bypass", the highway became, between 1978 and 1982, the route of I-95 around Wilmington, while the original highway through the city, redesignated as Interstate 895, was reconstructed at the Wilmington Viaduct. In 1982, I-95 was rerouted back onto the original highway, and the bypass became I-495 again. A similar occurrence happened in 2000 when I-95 was closed off for a total rebuilding project between U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
and the Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
state line.
Although it is the most recent of Delaware's three Interstate Highways, I-495 was rebuilt in the mid-1990s when the concrete surface, developed in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, failed prematurely and had to be totally replaced in sections, resulting in one-lane operations for nearly four years (a similar total rebuilding project had to be done on Delaware Route 141
Delaware Route 141
Delaware Route 141 is a bypass around the western suburbs of Wilmington, Delaware. Its northern terminus is an interchange with U.S. Route 202 and Delaware Route 261 in Fairfax, and its southern terminus is at Delaware Route 9 and Delaware Route 273 in New Castle...
in Newport
Newport, Delaware
Newport is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is located on the Christina River. It is best known for being the home of colonial inventor Oliver Evans. The population was 1,055 at the 2010 census...
in the early 2000s). In addition, the bridge over the Christina River
Christina River
The Christina River is a tributary of the Delaware River, approximately 35 miles long, in northern Delaware in the United States, also flowing through small areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and northeastern Maryland. Near its mouth the river flows past downtown Wilmington, Delaware,...
, at the Port of Wilmington, suffered severe damage when a truck went over the side of the bridge and exploded on impact, damaging support beams, and forcing traffic onto I-95, creating traffic snarls on the four-lane highway.
As a major bypass, officials in the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has encouraged through traffic (by placing the "Baltimore" and "Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
" control cities
Control city
A control city is a city or locality posted on a traffic sign indicating forward destinations on a certain route. These destinations aid motorists using the highway system to reach destinations along the various routes...
on its green signs) to use I-495 instead of I-95, as it has six lanes and a higher speed limit (65 mph instead of 55 mi/h on I-95). Since 2000, DelDOT officials have proposed rerouting I-95 back onto I-495 in the same arrangement used between 1978 and 1982, and renaming the current I-95 through Wilmington as Business 95, like that on Interstate 83
Interstate 83
Interstate 83 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. Its southern terminus is in Baltimore, Maryland at the Fayette Street exit; its northern terminus is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at Interstate 81....
in York, Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
. The mayor of Wilmington staunchly rejected the proposal. (Notice: Not all of Business 83 in York, PA is expressway.)
Route description
I-495 begins at an interchange with I-95Interstate 95 in Delaware
In Delaware, Interstate 95 runs diagonally from the border with Maryland northeast to the border with Pennsylvania. Between the Maryland state line and exit 5, I-95 is also designated as the Delaware Turnpike and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. Along with its auxiliaries, I-95 is the only...
/US 202
U.S. Route 202 in Delaware
U.S. Route 202 runs through northern New Castle County in the U.S. state of Delaware. It heads from a cloverleaf interchange with U.S. Route 13 and U.S...
and I-295 near Newport
Newport, Delaware
Newport is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is located on the Christina River. It is best known for being the home of colonial inventor Oliver Evans. The population was 1,055 at the 2010 census...
, heading to the east on a six-lane freeway. (At the southern terminus, southbound I-495 also has a ramp that provides easier access to the DE 141
Delaware Route 141
Delaware Route 141 is a bypass around the western suburbs of Wilmington, Delaware. Its northern terminus is an interchange with U.S. Route 202 and Delaware Route 261 in Fairfax, and its southern terminus is at Delaware Route 9 and Delaware Route 273 in New Castle...
interchange along I-95.) The route runs between the Christina River
Christina River
The Christina River is a tributary of the Delaware River, approximately 35 miles long, in northern Delaware in the United States, also flowing through small areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and northeastern Maryland. Near its mouth the river flows past downtown Wilmington, Delaware,...
to the north and a landfill to the south prior to reaching an interchange with US 13
U.S. Route 13 in Delaware
U.S. Route 13 is the main north–south highway in the U.S. state of Delaware. It traverses the entire length of the state from the Maryland border in Delmar, Sussex County to the Pennsylvania border in Claymont, New Castle County. U.S. Route 13 connects many important cities and towns in...
to the north of Wilmington Manor
Wilmington Manor, Delaware
Wilmington Manor is a census-designated place in north-eastern New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 8,262 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wilmington Manor is located at...
. Past this, the highway enters industrial areas and reaches the DE 9A exit near the Port of Wilmington
Port of Wilmington (Delaware)
The Port of Wilmington is a deep-water port located at the confluence of the Christina River and the Delaware River in Wilmington, Delaware, from the Atlantic Ocean...
, turning to the northeast. I-495 crosses over the Christina River into the eastern part of Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
and passes near another landfill as it comes to the Twelfth Street exit. The road runs through some marshland before coming to an interchange in industrial Edgemoor
Edgemoor, Delaware
Edgemoor is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 5,992 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Edgemoor is located at ....
that connects to the southern terminus of DE 3
Delaware Route 3
Delaware Route 3 is a state highway in New Castle County, Delaware. The route runs from an interchange at Interstate 495 in Edgemoor north to Delaware Route 92 in Brandywine Hundred. The route passes through the suburban areas of Brandywine Hundred, and it also passes by the community of Arden. DE...
as well as to US 13. Following this interchange, I-495 runs between US 13 and suburban areas to the west and Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
’s Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
and the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
to the east. I-495 continues along this configuration until it reaches Claymont
Claymont, Delaware
Claymont is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 9,220 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. US 13 heads farther west from the freeway and I-495 makes a turn to the north away from the railroad tracks and the river near the Claymont SEPTA station
Claymont (SEPTA station)
Claymont is a station along the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor in Claymont, Delaware; Amtrak services do not stop here and the station is only served by SEPTA. This station is the first stop in Delaware, continuing towards Wilmington and Newark. It is located at Myrtle...
. The road comes to another exit for US 13 before merging into I-95 at the DE 92
Delaware Route 92
Delaware Route 92 is a two to four-lane, east–west road that runs a short distance to the south of the Pennsylvania/Delaware State Line for most of its length and allows a direct connection between U.S. Route 202 in Talleyville, Delaware with I-95 in Claymont, Delaware, the two major...
interchange near the Tri-State Mall
Tri-State Mall
The Tri-State Mall is a shopping mall located on Delaware Route 92 in Claymont, Delaware. At 535,000 square feet, it is Delaware's fourth biggest mall, boasting approximately 50 shops. It is located just off of Interstate 95 and is less than a mile from the Pennsylvania/Delaware border. Anchor...
and the Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
border.
Southbound, the I-495 splitoff from I-95 actually starts in Pennsylvania, but crosses into Delaware before the exit to DE 92.
Exit list
The entire route is in New Castle CountyNew Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County is the northernmost of the three counties of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 its population was 538,479, an increase of 7.6% over the previous decade. The county seat is Wilmington. The center of population of Delaware is located in New Castle County, in the town of...
.
{| class=wikitable
!Location
!Mile
!Exit
Exit number
An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore....
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|Newport
Newport, Delaware
Newport is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is located on the Christina River. It is best known for being the home of colonial inventor Oliver Evans. The population was 1,055 at the 2010 census...
|0.00
|
|, Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
|Southern terminus
|-
|
|
|
|Southbound exit; eliminates weaving btwn I-95/I-495 jct & DE 141
|-
|
|5C
| - Del Mem Br
Delaware Memorial Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. The toll bridges carry Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 40 between Delaware and New Jersey...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
-New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
|Southbound exit
|-
|Minquadale
Minquadale, Delaware
Minquadale is an unincorporated community in New Castle County, Delaware, United States....
|1.98
|1
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
|2.97
|2
|
|
|-
|4.45
|3
|12th Street
|
|-
|5.97
|4
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Claymont
Claymont, Delaware
Claymont is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 9,220 at the 2000 census.-History:...
|10.83
|5
|
|
|-
|
|6
|
|Southbound exit
|-
|11.47
|
| - Chester
Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...
, Philadelphia
|Northern terminus