NEW CASTLE, Del. – Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials reported record traffic volume for the month of September at the Delaware Memorial Bridge.  For the month, the Bridge handled 1,506,880 vehicles, eclipsing 1.5 million vehicles for the first time during the month of September.  Continued strength in commercial traffic and passenger car volumes offsets weakness in daily commuter numbers for the month. 

“The Delaware Memorial Bridge has now set record traffic volume for the months of June, July and September this year,” said Thomas J. Cook Executive Director of the DRBA.  “And, the bridge handled its second most ever in August 2021.  Given the early trend this month, I expect October numbers to be close if not exceed the record monthly number of 1,534,595 set in 2019.”

Cook added that daily commuter traffic remains weak compared to 2019 numbers, reinforcing what some experts have suggested as we recover from the pandemic that telecommuting for work continues to be prevalent and pent-up demand for vacations and travel persists.

During the first nine months of 2021, Delaware Memorial Bridge traffic continues to improve:  

                       Month                      2021                      2019                    Diff
                       January               1,128,760              1,242,187             -113,427
                       February                 947,280              1,159,315            -212,035
                       March                  1,291,613              1,338,425              -46,812
                       April                     1,407,160              1,558,271             -151,111
                       May                     1,531,717              1,598,712              -66,554
                       June                    1,627,547              1,619,637               +7,910
                       July                      1,836,025              1,723,331           +112,694
                       August                 1,825,524              1,845,190              -19,666
                      September           1,506,880              1,491,194             +15,868

Delaware Memorial Bridge Twin Spans registered a milestone year for traffic volume in 2019, handling 18,288,314 vehicles through the southbound toll plaza.  The 2019 volume easily eclipsed the previous record of 17,813,664 set in 2016.  Despite the rebound in traffic volume last four months, traffic numbers remain off nearly 15% compared to 2019 figures. 

Multiple construction projects continue at the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Motorists will experience lane closures associated with Steelwork Repair, Suspender Rope Replacement Program as well as Bridge Painting projects during the next several months.   DRBA engineers have designed these important capital projects to minimize traffic delays to the extent possible, but some are expected, particularly during peak travel times. Motorists are encouraged to follow us on Twitter for the latest construction news and traffic conditions.   

The safety of the traveling public, highway contractors on-site, and DRBA employees continue to be the highest priority. Commuters and travelers are urged to be careful and stay alert in and around construction zones, obey posted speed limits, and plan to take a few extra minutes during rush hour periods.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.