Capital Projects
DRBA Capital Program Overview
2024-2028
The Delaware River & Bay Authority has an extensive network of structures and facilities designed to provide the public with safe and efficient means of transportation as well as support economic development initiatives in the region.
This transportation network includes the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, and the Fort Ferry Crossing. The Authority also operates and maintains five (5) Airport facilities in Delaware and New Jersey through long-term leases with a municipality, county or state. These facilities include Wilmington/New Castle Airport, Delaware Airpark and Civil Air Terminal in Delaware and Millville and Cape May Airports in New Jersey.
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) addresses the needs over the next five years to properly maintain and enhance the Authority's facilities to meet the increasing demands primarily associated with the transportation industry.
CIP Program Overview
delaware Memorial bridge (DMB)
The main bridge facilities of the DRBA consist of the Twin Spans of the Delaware Memorial Bridge (DMB), three (3) miles of approach roadways with sixteen (16) bridge structures, administration, maintenance and toll buildings, and all necessary appurtenances.
DRBA Ferries
DRBA Ferries consist of two systems: The Cape May-Lewes Ferry (CMLF) and Forts Ferry Crossing (FF).
The CMLF has three (3) ferry vessels, two (2) marine terminals, approach roadways, one (1) bridge structure, administration, maintenance and public buildings, and all necessary appurtenances.
Forts Ferry Crossing includes one (1) passenger carrying marine vessel and three (3) marine docking facilities, one each in Delaware City, DE; Fort Mott, NJ; and Pea Patch Island, DE.
dRBA Airports
There are five DRBA operated airports: Wilmington/New Castle Airport, the Civil Air Terminal, and the Delaware Airpark in Delaware plus Cape May and Millville Airports in New Jersey.
Projects are carried out in several phases in concert with established Airport Layout plans Master Plans, environmental and economic development considerations and in some cases, funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
capital Goals
The DRBA evaluates all capital projects with the following five goals in mind:
Asset Preservation
The responsible stewardship of critical regional infrastructure through the preservation of asset necessary to retain its existing value and maximize its useful life.
Efficiency & Sustainability
Increase operating efficiencies through the construction of sustainable infrastructure utilizing best available technologies and management practices.
Safety
Maintain or enhance safe and reliable infrastructure of our customers
Security
Enhance the security of critical regional infrastructure in coordination with regional safety agencies.
Economic Development
Support revenue producing growth through controlled investment in economic development opportunities.
Timelines
Capital Improvement projects generally occur in phases over multiple years. The DRBA Strategic Plan serves as a planning tool for directing resources to address the goals above over the next five years to consistently maintain and enhance the Authority's facilities and address the increasing demands associated with an aging infrastructure. Implementation of the Strategic Plan will assure the public continues to enjoy quality transportation services in a safe and efficient manner as well as intelligently maintain and enhance facilities as necessary.
Within each asset class, individual projects are further organized into the following classifications:
- Continuing - Projects which were previously authorized in the Capital Improvement Program and are scheduled to continue in 2024.
- Annual - Projects which require yearly authorization to continue.
- New - Projects which have not been authorized in a prior Capital Improvement Program and are seeking authorization in 2024.
- Out Year- Projects which will be seeking authorization in a future Capital Improvement Program.
