mispillion bridge

Contractors working to repair the Mispillion Bridge on Friday, May 19. (Photo: WBOC) 

MILFORD, Del.- The Mispillion Bridge will remain closed for a few more weeks, as repair work initiated in February has extended beyond its original completion date in April. 

The bridge repairs were needed after the structure was struck by oversized trucks on two separate occasions.

According to Delaware's Department of Transportation (DelDOT), contractors recently uncovered 40 locations on the bridge with heavy corrosion that had gone undetected during the initial evaluation.

Addressing this corrosion is now a critical priority, said DelDOT spokesperson C.R. McCleod.

"That's not something we can ignore and come back to later," McCleod emphasized.

DelDOT shared another update on June 8:

"As we previously shared, corrosion to various areas of the bridge was discovered and these areas have been cleaned and painted. However, during the reinstallation of various components of the bridge, we identified additional machining work that is needed to ensure that the shafts and gears will operate properly. The additional work must be completed before the bridge is able to be reopened for both vehicle and marine traffic. We will provide another update as work progresses and we have a definitive date for the reopening of the bridge."  

The bridge is now expected to be opened at some point in July. 

Some local business owners are getting frustrated about the seemingly never ending project. 

Abby Shayne with Clear Definition Auto Body & Detailing, worries that potential customers may not want to go through obstacles to get to the shop. 

"It's hurt a lot," Shayne said.

She also noted that some people mistakenly believe her shop is closed.

"The traffic through here is basically non-existent. Of course, everybody that has to go around town takes twice as long, and I think they're giving up, like, you know, trying to find us," she said. 

Other Milford community members shared concerns about how the road closure is impacting crucial services. 

"You've got school busses carrying 60 kids on them and they've got to meander through these tiny little roads and try to get through so it's been very difficult for them," shared Jennifer Parnell who works as a crossing guard in town. 

"Emergency vehicles also have to go the long way around," added Mike Parnell. 

Others were more understanding. 

"The Mispillion bridge has been there longer than I have so I guess it probably needs a little more fixing up just like myself," joked Bob Rogers from Milford, who hopes these repairs will last the bridge for several years. 

For now, those heading south through Milford will have to add a few extra minutes to their travel time.