The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) has approved a $161.8 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2026, focusing on repairing aging infrastructure and increasing transportation safety and accessibility. The authority adopted the CIP alongside a five-year strategic roadmap detailing more than 125 capital projects between FY 2026 and FY 2030.
The Delaware Memorial Bridge has dozens of projects planned, receiving the largest funding allocation in the coming year – totaling roughly $65 million. Major components include replacing the existing outdated toll collection system with an electronic alternative. Additional components include increasing the bridge’s structural resilience, repairing the deck and UHPC joints, replacing power cables and installing fall prevention fencing.
The authority will widen Bridge 1, repair the Route 9 Bridge deck and implement a series of miscellaneous improvements including drainage pipes, swales, slope stabilization, curb and sidewalk repairs and replacement of a high mast lighting foundation. The project will also rehabilitate anchorage pin and link assemblies, roof and building envelopes and replace a paint shop booth.
Additional work on the bridge will include annual capital equipment purchases, maintenance, steelwork repairs and technology upgrades. Notably, the authority will replace the aging suspender ropes for bridge structures.
The DRBA will invest $41.9 million into various Cape May-Lewes Ferry projects. The authority will build a new centralized utility corridor to improve maintenance efficacy, improve HVAC systems, rehabilitate roof and building envelopes and replace the entrance roof for the admin building. Additional work will include rehabilitating approach roads, davit cranes, elevators and replacing shore power feeds and controls.
The CIP includes plans to install new booster pumps for the fire suppression system, perform annual maintenance dredging, build new vehicles and build vessel electrification infrastructure. Smaller scale projects will include procuring capital equipment, technologies and performing maintenance.
New projects featured in the CIP for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry will include repairing and renovating parking lots, modifying slips for new vessels, and renovating the Seaport Boarding Bridges. The authority will also rehabilitate terminal patios, excavate dredge material, refurbish power infrastructure, upgrade toll booths and replace technology.
The Wilmington Airport will spend approximately $22.7 million over the next year on capital projects. Project featured in the plan include renovating a hangar, modernizing HVAC systems, increasing terminal hold room capacity and improving frontage fort terminals and rehabilitating roof and building envelopes. The DRBA will also repair stormwater drainage infrastructure, build a run-up pad for taxiways and install a blast fence to protect the facility from debris.
In a similar vein to the previous facilities, the authority will perform maintenance, buy equipment and upgrade technology. Additional projects include expanding parking areas, implementing ALPR technologies, upgrade the fire pump system and install a de-icing pad. Finally, the DRBA will repair hangars and add concession services to the airport.
Photo by Éamonn Ó Muirí, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
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