U.S. Route 40 in Delaware
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 40 serves as a major east–west highway in northern New Castle County
, Delaware
, just south of Wilmington
. It runs from the Maryland
border east of Elkton, Maryland
east through the rapidly growing towns of Glasgow
and Bear
before following U.S. Route 13
and then Interstate 295
around New Castle
before crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge
to New Jersey
.
US 40 was originally built as a state highway during the 1920s, comprising Elkton Road and a part of the Dupont Highway. When first designated, the route followed these two roads to Wilmington, where it crossed the Delaware River on a ferry to Penns Grove, New Jersey
. By the 1930s, the route was rerouted at Hares Corner to head east into New Castle and cross the river on a ferry to Pennsville, New Jersey. The Delaware Memorial Bridge opened in the 1950s, and US 40 was rerouted up US 13 to the bridge approach, with DE 273 being extended along the former route into New Castle. By 1959, the Delaware Memorial Bridge approach became a part of I-295. Between the 1960s and 1990s, US 301 ran along the US 13/US 40 concurrency and US 301N followed US 40 between Glasgow and State Road from the 1970s to the 1980s.
at the Delaware border east as a divided highway known as the Pulaski Highway to Glasgow. In Glasgow, U.S. Route 40 runs as two one-way roadways with businesses in the median. At the east end of Glasgow, U.S. Route 40 intersects U.S. Route 301
, which has its northern terminus at US 40, and Delaware Route 896, which runs south along US 301 and north to Newark
and Interstate 95
. U.S. Route 40 then continues east through suburban sprawl to Bear. In Bear, U.S. Route 40 intersects Delaware Route 7 at a dangerous intersection. It then features an interchange with Delaware Route 1.
In State Road, U.S. Route 40 meets U.S. Route 13
, with which it shares a lengthy concurrency to the west of the historic town of New Castle. Along this concurrency, U.S. Route 40 is only signed along cross roads and overhead guide signs. Most reassurance markers along this stretch of highway only mention U.S. Route 13. While joined with U.S. Route 13, U.S. Route 40 passes by the New Castle Airport
and features an interchange with U.S. Route 202
and Delaware Route 141
at the north end of the airport property.
In Wilmington Manor
, U.S. Route 40 splits from U.S. Route 13 and follows Interstate 295
east to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Along this stretch of interstate highway, there is an interchange with Delaware Route 9
just west of the bridge. U.S. Route 40 then crosses over to New Jersey
cosigned with I-295 on the twin-span Delaware Memorial Bridge
, which features a toll plaza westbound on the Delaware side.
. By 1931, US 40 was rerouted at Hares Corner to head east through New Castle
and cross the Delaware River on a ferry to Pennsville, New Jersey. All of the route was a state highway by this time except the portion from Hares Corner to Basin Road. By 1936, US 40 was widened to a divided highway along Elkton Road and US 13, with the portion between Hares Corner and Basin Road being upgraded to a state highway. Construction on the Delaware Memorial Bridge and its approach to US 13 began by 1949.
By 1952, US 40 was rerouted to use the new Delaware Memorial Bridge to cross the Delaware River, being rerouted to follow US 13 north from Hares Corner to the bridge approach road. The ferry connecting New Castle to Pennsville was discontinued and DE 273 was extended along the former alignment of US 40 into New Castle. The US 40 approach to the bridge was a limited-access road with a cloverleaf interchange at DE 9 and a directional-T interchange at US 13. By 1959, the limited-access Delaware Memorial Bridge approach became a part of I-295. The interchange between I-295/US 40 and US 13/US 202 was reconstructed by 1964 to allow the westward extension of I-295 to I-95
(Delaware Turnpike
). By 1966, US 301 was designated along the US 13/US 40 concurrency. US 301N was designated to follow US 40 between DE 896 and US 13 by 1971. US 301N was removed from US 40 by 1985. By 1994, US 301 was removed from the US 13/US 40 concurrency, having been rerouted to follow DE 896 to end at US 40 in Glasgow.
.
{|class=wikitable
!Location
!Milepost
!Intersecting road
!Notes
|-
|colspan=4 align="center"|Maryland
state line
|-
|rowspan=2|Glasgow
|2.33
|
|
|-
|3.70
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Bear
|7.15
|
|
|-
|
|
|Interchange
|-
|State Road
|9.84
|
|West end of US 13/DE 9 Truck overlap
|-
|Hares Corner
|10.88
|
|East end of DE 9 Truck overlap
|-
|New Castle Airport
|12.11
|
|Interchange
|-
|Wilmington Manor
|13.40
|, Philadelphia, Baltimore
|Interchange; East end of US 13 overlap
West end of I-295 overlap
|-
|New Castle
|14.67
|
|
|-
|colspan=4 align="center"|Delaware Memorial Bridge
over the Delaware River
|-
New 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...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, just south 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...
. It runs from the Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
border east of Elkton, Maryland
Elkton, Maryland
The town of Elkton is the county seat of Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,893 as of the 2000 census and 14,842 according to current July 2008 census estimates. It is the county seat of Cecil County...
east through the rapidly growing towns of Glasgow
Glasgow, Delaware
Glasgow is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 12,840 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Glasgow is located at ....
and Bear
Bear, Delaware
Bear is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 17,593 at the 2000 census.Originally a small crossroads in a rural area south of Wilmington, the area supported small farms growing mainly corn and cattle...
before following U.S. Route 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...
and then Interstate 295
Interstate 295 (Delaware-New Jersey)
Interstate 295 in New Jersey and Delaware is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, designated as a bypass around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The route begins at a junction with Interstate 95 south of Wilmington, Delaware, and runs to another junction with I-95 north of Trenton, New Jersey...
around New Castle
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
before crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge
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...
to 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...
.
US 40 was originally built as a state highway during the 1920s, comprising Elkton Road and a part of the Dupont Highway. When first designated, the route followed these two roads to Wilmington, where it crossed the Delaware River on a ferry to Penns Grove, New Jersey
Penns Grove, New Jersey
Penns Grove is a Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 4,886.Penns Grove was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1894, from portions of Upper Penns Neck Township Penns Grove is a...
. By the 1930s, the route was rerouted at Hares Corner to head east into New Castle and cross the river on a ferry to Pennsville, New Jersey. The Delaware Memorial Bridge opened in the 1950s, and US 40 was rerouted up US 13 to the bridge approach, with DE 273 being extended along the former route into New Castle. By 1959, the Delaware Memorial Bridge approach became a part of I-295. Between the 1960s and 1990s, US 301 ran along the US 13/US 40 concurrency and US 301N followed US 40 between Glasgow and State Road from the 1970s to the 1980s.
Route description
U.S. Route 40 continues eastward from its segment in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in Maryland
U.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at the Delaware border east as a divided highway known as the Pulaski Highway to Glasgow. In Glasgow, U.S. Route 40 runs as two one-way roadways with businesses in the median. At the east end of Glasgow, U.S. Route 40 intersects U.S. Route 301
U.S. Route 301 in Delaware
In the U.S. state of Delaware, U.S. Route 301 runs from U.S. Route 40 in Glasgow to the Maryland state line where it continues as the Blue Star Memorial Highway...
, which has its northern terminus at US 40, and Delaware Route 896, which runs south along US 301 and north to Newark
Newark, Delaware
Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :...
and 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...
. U.S. Route 40 then continues east through suburban sprawl to Bear. In Bear, U.S. Route 40 intersects Delaware Route 7 at a dangerous intersection. It then features an interchange with Delaware Route 1.
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...
, with which it shares a lengthy concurrency to the west of the historic town of New Castle. Along this concurrency, U.S. Route 40 is only signed along cross roads and overhead guide signs. Most reassurance markers along this stretch of highway only mention U.S. Route 13. While joined with U.S. Route 13, U.S. Route 40 passes by the New Castle Airport
New Castle Airport
New Castle Airport , also known as the New Castle County Airport, is a public airport located in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware, United States and four miles south of the central business district of the city of Wilmington....
and features an interchange with U.S. Route 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 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...
at the north end of the airport property.
In 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...
, U.S. Route 40 splits from U.S. Route 13 and follows Interstate 295
Interstate 295 (Delaware-New Jersey)
Interstate 295 in New Jersey and Delaware is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, designated as a bypass around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The route begins at a junction with Interstate 95 south of Wilmington, Delaware, and runs to another junction with I-95 north of Trenton, New Jersey...
east to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Along this stretch of interstate highway, there is an interchange with Delaware Route 9
Delaware Route 9
Delaware Route 9 is a state highway that connects with Delaware Route 1 at the Dover Air Force Base to Interstate 95 in the City of Wilmington. Much like their U.S...
just west of the bridge. U.S. Route 40 then crosses over to New Jersey
U.S. Route 40 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 40 is a U.S. highway running from Park City, Utah east to Atlantic City, New Jersey. The easternmost segment of the route runs through the southern part of New Jersey between the Delaware Memorial Bridge over the Delaware River in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where it continues...
cosigned with I-295 on the twin-span Delaware Memorial Bridge
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...
, which features a toll plaza westbound on the Delaware side.
History
By 1920, what would become the Delaware portion of US 40 was a county road, with the portion along US 13 under contract to become a state highway. The Pulaski Highway and Dupont Highway portions of the road were completed as state highways by 1924. When the U.S. Highway System was created in 1926, US 40 was designated to pass through Delaware along Elkton Road (Pulaski Highway) between the Maryland border and State Road, US 13 from State Road to Wilmington, and Christiana Avenue from US 13 to a ferry across the Delaware River which carried the route to Penns Grove, New JerseyPenns Grove, New Jersey
Penns Grove is a Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 4,886.Penns Grove was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1894, from portions of Upper Penns Neck Township Penns Grove is a...
. By 1931, US 40 was rerouted at Hares Corner to head east through New Castle
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
and cross the Delaware River on a ferry to Pennsville, New Jersey. All of the route was a state highway by this time except the portion from Hares Corner to Basin Road. By 1936, US 40 was widened to a divided highway along Elkton Road and US 13, with the portion between Hares Corner and Basin Road being upgraded to a state highway. Construction on the Delaware Memorial Bridge and its approach to US 13 began by 1949.
By 1952, US 40 was rerouted to use the new Delaware Memorial Bridge to cross the Delaware River, being rerouted to follow US 13 north from Hares Corner to the bridge approach road. The ferry connecting New Castle to Pennsville was discontinued and DE 273 was extended along the former alignment of US 40 into New Castle. The US 40 approach to the bridge was a limited-access road with a cloverleaf interchange at DE 9 and a directional-T interchange at US 13. By 1959, the limited-access Delaware Memorial Bridge approach became a part of I-295. The interchange between I-295/US 40 and US 13/US 202 was reconstructed by 1964 to allow the westward extension of I-295 to I-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...
(Delaware Turnpike
Delaware Turnpike
The Delaware Turnpike, also known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, is an tolled highway that lies entirely within the state of Delaware. Running in a general southwest to northeast direction, paralleling nearby U.S...
). By 1966, US 301 was designated along the US 13/US 40 concurrency. US 301N was designated to follow US 40 between DE 896 and US 13 by 1971. US 301N was removed from US 40 by 1985. By 1994, US 301 was removed from the US 13/US 40 concurrency, having been rerouted to follow DE 896 to end at US 40 in Glasgow.
Junction 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
!Milepost
!Intersecting road
!Notes
|-
|colspan=4 align="center"|Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
state line
|-
|rowspan=2|Glasgow
Glasgow, Delaware
Glasgow is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 12,840 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Glasgow is located at ....
|2.33
|
|
|-
|3.70
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Bear
Bear, Delaware
Bear is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 17,593 at the 2000 census.Originally a small crossroads in a rural area south of Wilmington, the area supported small farms growing mainly corn and cattle...
|7.15
|
|
|-
|
|
|Interchange
|-
|State Road
|9.84
|
|West end of US 13/DE 9 Truck overlap
|-
|Hares Corner
|10.88
|
|East end of DE 9 Truck overlap
|-
|New Castle Airport
New Castle Airport
New Castle Airport , also known as the New Castle County Airport, is a public airport located in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware, United States and four miles south of the central business district of the city of Wilmington....
|12.11
|
|Interchange
|-
|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...
|13.40
|, Philadelphia, Baltimore
|Interchange; East end of US 13 overlap
West end of I-295 overlap
|-
|New Castle
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
|14.67
|
|
|-
|colspan=4 align="center"|Delaware Memorial Bridge
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...
over 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...
|-