Chesapeake & Delaware Canal

C&D Canal Updates

The Delaware City Dredged Material Disposal Site, located to the west of Delaware City off Cox Pond Road and along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, is owned and maintained by USACE. It's important to note that this site has always been a dredged material disposal site even though it has not received sediment in a number of years. USACE will NOT be draining the pond in the near future. USACE is working through the process to begin an Environmental Assessment associated with this possible activity and will be conducting preliminary work to improve/repair dikes along the perimeter of the site.  

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District announced a major repair project will commence in April 2023 at the St. Georges Bridge along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal in New Castle County, Delaware. During construction, the bridge will remain closed to all traffic for approximately 18 months. The $45.8 million contract, awarded to J.D. Eckman, Inc., involves demolishing and replacing the bridge decking, median barrier, drainage features; replacing bridge approaches and roadways; and repairing other bridge structural features. Work is funded by the federal government through Energy and Water appropriations.

During construction, traffic will be detoured to the Senator Roth Route 1 Bridge. St. Georges Bridge will close to all traffic starting on April 4, 2023. Additionally, the contractor will begin to close bicycle lanes in February 2023; however at least one bicycle lane will remain open until April 4, 2023. The purpose of the repairs is to improve the structural condition and traveling surface of the bridge. St. Georges Bridge is a tied arch structure that was constructed in 1941 and modified in 2010.  The last major construction project on the bridge was lead paint abatement in 2000–2001.

Bridge General Information

  • Construction: 1948
  • Overall Length: 3,954 feet
  • Main span length: 540 feet
  • Height: 240 feet
  • Ship Clearance: 135 feet
  • Roadway: Maryland Route 213
  • Construction: 1968
  • Overall length: 8,432 feet
  • Main span length: 600 feet
  • Height: 190 feet 
  • Ship Clearance: 134 feet
  • Roadway: Two lanes of Delaware Route 9
  • Construction: 1995
  • Overall length: 4,650 feet
  • Main Span length: 750 feet
  • Height: 335 feet
  • Ship Clearance: 138 feet
  • Roadway: Route 1
  • Construction: 1941 (modified in 2010)
  • Overall length: 4,209 feet
  • Main span length: 540 feet
  • Height: 240 feet
  • Ship Clearance: 133 feet
  • Roadway: Delaware Route 13
  • Construction: 1959
  • Overall length: 2,058 feet
  • Main Span Length: 600 feet
  • Height: 196 feet
  • Ship Clearance: 135 feet
  • Roadway: Routes 301, 71, 896

Pearce Creek Documents & Reports

Canal Overview

The Chesapeake and Delaware or "C&D" Canal connects the Delaware River to the Chesapeake Bay and Port of Baltimore. The waterway, a channel 35 feet deep and 450 feet wide, extends from Reedy Point on the Delaware River about 41 miles below Philadelphia. The Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District maintains the canal as well as the five high span bridges that cross it: Reedy Point, SR 1, Summit, St. Georges and Chesapeake City bridges. 

Latest News

Army Corps shares update on Chesapeake City Bridge repairs
4/10/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Philadelphia District shared an update on repair work on the Chesapeake City Bridge in Cecil County, Maryland. Work includes repairs of the bridge expansion joints...
Army Corps to conduct repairs on St. Georges Bridge; bridge to remain closed to traffic for 18 months
3/28/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District is reminding motorists, bicyclists, and nearby residents that a major repair project will commence in April at the St. Georges Bridge along the...