All Lanes Open on New Indian River Inlet Bridge

INDIAN RIVER INLET, Del. - The second span of the new Indian River Inlet Bridge is open to traffic.

The Delaware Department of Transportation said the new northbound span opened to vehicles late Sunday. By Tuesday, all four lanes of the new bridge were open, spokesman Mike Williams said.

The southbound span opened in early February but crews needed to finish the approaches on the second span.

Businesses from Bethany Beach to Rehoboth Beach expressed relief, hoping the opening would ease congestion ahead of the holiday weekend.

The new, $150 million bridge should light up at night beginning Thursday. The pedestrian lane is expected to open by Friday, Williams said.

Crews are preparing to demolish the old bridge, which could take up to eight months, Williams said. Sand from the south side of the old approaches will be used to bolster the dune on the north side of the bridge.