Esteban Parra

The News Journal

Motorists who use Del. 141 near New Castle can expect delays to increase as construction crews start full work on an I-95 ramp interchange project that will take years to complete.

"I don't know what people are going to do to get around it," said Leslie Wright, who was stuck in construction traffic for about 30 minutes Monday. "I don't think they can."

Construction crews started preparing for the job last week by doing utility work, striping and getting ready to build barrier walls on southbound Del. 141 just after the off ramp from southbound I-95. But the intermittent lane closures needed for the work has already created some headaches this week.

"It's going to be a real inconvenience for a lot of people," said Wright, who avoided the backups Tuesday by taking another route. She said she feels sorry for people who need to use the road daily.

The construction is part of an $84 million overhaul of the ramps and bridges on the interchange, a major connector between New Castle and Newport. The work is expected to last until the end of 2019.

Plans call for contractors to rebuild three ramps connecting Del. 141 to I-95, as well as build a new and wider Del. 141 bridge that crosses I-95 North. Of particular concern are ramps from Del. 141 to I-95 North. Vehicles going onto the interstate from Del. 141 South have to yield to vehicles entering from Del. 141 North, creating a logjam and frequent rear-end collisions.

No I-95 closures are planned.

Full construction is scheduled to start in late April to early May, said Bud Freel, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Transportation.

That's when motorists can expect full-lane closures, he said. "That will come when they actually start doing the major work."

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.