Southbound

Delaware 9 Southbound
City of Wilmington
	The last remaining Delaware 9 cutout on southbound resides on the block between Dupont and Clayton Streets in the Hilltop section of Wilmington. The relic provides the first southbound reassurance shield along Fourth Street in the city. Photo taken 05/00.
	A second cutout for Delaware 9 was posted between Broom and Franklin Streets on Fourth Street eastbound. As of March 2004, the cutout is no longer posted and no replacement stands in its place. Photo taken 12/99.
	Original 18" Interstate 95 Delaware shield on Delaware 9 (Fourth Street) southbound at Jackson Street. Jackson Street provides the route to the on-ramp at Lancaster Avenue three blocks to the south. Three 18" state named shields remain for Interstate 95 as of Spring 2004. They were located on Second, Fourth, and Sixth Streets eastbound. However by August 2004 this particular assembly unfortunately was replaced with a 24" neutered shield. Photo taken 03/21/04.
	Passing under the recently repainted viaduct of Interstate 95 & U.S. 202 on Delaware 9 southbound. Ahead is the signalized intersection with Adams Street northbound. Drivers bound for the freeway northbound need only turn left on Adams Street for a six block ride to the Tenth Street on-ramp. Photo taken 03/21/04.

	Delaware 9 (Fourth Street) southbound at Monroe Street and the Adams Four Shopping Center within the Westside neighborhood of Wilmington. Monroe Street represents the westbound beginning of Delaware 4 at Delaware 48 (2nd Street) west, but does not travel through the shopping center to reach 2nd Street. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Reassurance shield posted ahead of the Delaware 9 (Fourth Street) intersection with Jefferson Street. North-south streets in Wilmington were named after former Presidents, beginning at Harrison and ending at Washington, as one travels eastward. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Southbound Delaware 9 (Fourth Street) at junction U.S. 13 Business south (King Street) at the 2002 opened New Castle County Courthouse complex. King Street provides three southbound lanes to South Market Street, Delaware 48 west (Second Street), and Martin Luther King Boulevard to Interstate 95. Photo taken 03/30/04.
	Apartment complexes dot the landscape of Fourth Street south of Walnut Street (U.S. 13 Business north) and the Wilmington central business district. Depicted here is the signalized intersection of Delaware 9 southbound at Poplar Street. Photo taken 03/30/04.

The next suite of photos covers the U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 southbound overlap along Fourth and Heald Streets in south Wilmington. Between the time the Spring 2004 photos were shot and the end of Summer 2004, many changes to both the signs and traffic signal assemblies took place. If DelDOT is looking at this page looking for old signs or signals to replace, please send us an email! All updated photos taken 08/31/04.
		After turning onto Delaware 9 (Fourth Street) southbound, U.S. 13 merges with its northbound component at Church Street. The U.S. 13 one-way couplet of Church and Spruce Streets exist between Fourth and Eleventh Street. Note that the recycled U.S. 13 shield posted in April is replaced by August. Photo taken 04/10/04.
		A closer look at the U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 intersection with Church Street on Fourth Street eastbound. The Amtrak Railroad crosses the four-lane arterial above the Church Street northbound intersection with Fourth Street. Note the U.S. 13 reassurance shield to the right. The no right turn sign is posted where a Delaware 9 shield once was. Photo taken 04/10/04.
		The Christina River Bridge of U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 carries four lanes and features a draw span. The crossing turns the paired routes southward from Fourth Street onto Heald Street into South Bridge. The Interstate 495 Christina River crossing dominates the horizon to the east. Photo taken 04/10/04.
		U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 intersect the northern terminus of Delaware 9A (Christina Avenue) just south of the Christina River Bridge. A junction sign resides on the curve into South Bridge on Heald Street (replaced by August 2004). Delaware 9A forms a short loop between Heald Street and New Castle Avenue (Delaware 9) south of the city line. Photo taken 04/10/04.
		Delaware 9A southbound departs to the left onto Christina Avenue for the Port of Wilmington. Note the Delaware 9 reassurance shield without U.S. 13 and the photo cop posted to the right. Christina Avenue once was a part of Delaware 48. The two-lane roadway used to connect the city of Wilmington with Penns Grove, New Jersey (and New Jersey 48) by way of a ferry crossing to the southeast. When the Delaware Memorial Bridge opened to traffic in 1951 the ferry was no longer needed and thus the service disbanded. Delaware 48 later was truncated and Christina Avenue became part of a new Delaware 9A. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	U.S. 13 is again missing from the second Heald Street reassurance assembly on southbound. U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 split ahead between the one-way couplet of New Castle Avenue (northbound) and Heald Street (southbound). Each direction carries at least two lanes of traffic. Photo taken 04/10/04.
		The split of U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 southbound from the northbound direction at Lobdell Street. Featured here was the first in a series of old style mast arm traffic light assemblies with 36" Eagle signals. The traffic control devices likely dated from the 1960s. As of August 2004 all mast arms and Eagle signals were replaced with new McCain signals and span wire assemblies. Photo taken 04/10/04.
		Heald Street southbound at A Street in South Bridge. The alphabet series of streets in Wilmington exists entirely south of the Christina River. Streets A through D exit and E through G were planned but never built. A Street is the only of the four to connect with Market Street (U.S. 13 Business) to the west. Photo taken 04/10/04.
		B, C, and D Streets represent short residential streets serving either row homes or public housing projects. Unfortunately the South Bridge neighborhood is known also for its crime and bad reputation similar to the environs U.S. 13 encounters on Church and Spruce Streets. Pictured here is the Heald Street intersection with B Street. Photo taken 04/10/04.
		The second to last intersection of the U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 overlap through South Bridge exists at C Street. C Street travels a total of four blocks between Buttonwood Street and Claymont Street. The two-way road intersects U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 northbound one block to the east. Note that only one signal was posted for each direction of C Street. That configuration was amended to include two signals per direction with the new span wire assembly. Photo taken 04/10/04.

U.S. 13 & Delaware 9 southbound merge with U.S. 13 northbound at D Street. U.S. 13 northbound crosses the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge ahead before turning onto D Street for one block to New Castle Avenue (Delaware 9) northbound. Delaware 9 southbound remains on Heald Street over the railroad line before departing U.S. 13. Photo taken 04/10/04.

Delaware 9 departs U.S. 13 (Heald Street) onto a loop ramp at the base of the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge. The state highway follows the one-way ramp underneath the span eastward to New Castle Avenue. There New Castle Avenue carries two-way traffic southward en route to New Castle with Delaware 9. The overheads in place here are original. In the background is a set of nonfunctional flashers that were posted for Garasches Lane, the last intersection of U.S. 13 within the city limits of Wilmington. Photo taken 04/10/04.

			Traveling the Delaware 9 southbound ramp from Heald Street (U.S. 13) to New Castle Avenue. Constructed between 1941-42, the Heald Street Bridge passes over the Delaware 9 ramp and former Shellpot Branch freight secondary of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The bridge was refurbished in 1994 and extra care was taken to retain the historical character of the bridge. Photos taken 04/10/04.
		Delaware 9 (New Castle Avenue) departs the Wilmington city line southbound at Claymont Street in the Southbridge section of the city. The short street loops northwestward to Garasches Lane through a mostly abandoned complex of public housing units. Note that the retro mast arm signal assemblies are still in place between the two photographs but that several of the adjacent trees were trimmed or removed. First photo taken 06/00, second photo taken 04/10/04.

County of New Castle
	New Castle Avenue southbound at Claymont Street in South Bridge Wilmington. A signing project undertaken in south Wilmington during Summer of 2004 results in better signing of the termini of Delaware 9A on Delaware 9 and U.S. 13. The old mast arm signal assembly pictured here was reaffixed with a junction Delaware 9A shield for the upcoming intersection with Terminal Avenue. Photo taken 08/31/04.
	Interstate 495 trailblazer posted along Delaware 9 (New Castle Avenue) southbound at Terminal Avenue (Delaware 9A). Delaware 9A junctions with Interstate 495 Exit 2 1.5 blocks to the east. Photo taken 08/31/04.
	Delaware 9A (Terminal Avenue) returns to Delaware 9 (New Castle Avenue) just south of the Wilmington city line. The state route provides access between Interstate 495 and Delaware 9 by way of the Exit 2 interchange at Eden Park. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Continuing southbound on New Castle Avenue at the Interstate 495 overpass. Delaware maintains four overall lanes between Wilmington and town of New Castle. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Rogers Road ties into Delaware 9 (New Castle Avenue) just south of Interstate 495. The arterial links New Castle Avenue with the junction of U.S. 13 (Heald Street) and U.S. 13 Business (Market Street) next to the Exit 1 interchange of Interstate 495. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Southbound reassurance shield posted after the Rogers Road intersection. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Delaware 9 rises southbound toward the intersection with Lambsons Lane. Lambsons Lane spurs eastward into an older subdivision east of New Castle Avenue near the Delaware River. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	The compact cloverleaf interchange of Delaware 9 (New Castle Avenue) with Interstate 295 & U.S. 40 resides within a heavily built up area known as Wilmington Manor. The interchange features tight cloverleaf ramps by collector/distributor roadways on Interstate 295 north and south and Delaware 9 north. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	An original Interstate 295 Delaware shield was posted at the southbound Delaware 9 gore point for the southbound on-ramp. The 1961 specifications shield was removed when the light post to which it was attached was taken down in 2001. Photo taken 05/00.
	Approaching the Interstate 295 northbound & U.S. 40 eastbound loop ramp onto the Delaware Memorial Bridge on Delaware 9 (New Castle Avenue) southbound. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Interstate 295 & U.S. 40 overlap between Farnhurst (junction U.S. 13) and Deepwater (junction New Jersey Turnpike) across the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The twin suspension bridges carry a $3 toll for southbound but are free for northbound travelers. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Cherry Lane intersects New Castle Avenue just south of the Interstate 295 & U.S. 40 interchange. The Delaware War Memorial dedicated to the Memorial Bridge is located on Cherry Road just east of Delaware 9. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Delaware 9 features a concrete median and service roads between Interstate 295 & U.S. 40 and the New Castle corporate limit. Several side streets tie into the road from older subdivisions. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	New Castle Avenue southbound after Landers Lane. An off-ramp of Interstate 295 northbound departs for Landers Lane midway between Dupont Highway and Delaware 9. The local ramp allows motorists to access the subdivisions that were cut off by the construction of the freeway. Landers Lane intersects Moores Road (a north-south road between there and Delaware 9) before ending here. Photo taken 04/10/04.
Town of New Castle
	Delaware 9 follows the New Castle corporate limit from Buttonwood Avenue southward to Janvier Avenue and Rogers Manor Park. The four-lane arterial intersects Moores Road in the background. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	A branch of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad line crosses Delaware 9 midway between Moores Road and junction Delaware 273 (Ferry Cut Off Street). Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Delaware 9 turns westward onto Ferry Cut Off and Delaware Streets from East Sixth Street to bypass downtown New Castle. East Sixth Street itself continues southward South Street and the New Castle historic district. Delaware 9 saw relocation from that routing around 1990. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	The rerouting of Delaware 9 from Sixth Street, South Street, and Seventh Street results in an overlap with the westbound beginning of Delaware 273 between Wilmington Road and junction Delaware 141 (Basin Road) and Washington Avenue. The multiplex tallies 0.8 miles. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Delaware 9 south & 273 west part ways at the Basin Road (Delaware 141) & Washington Avenue intersection. Delaware 9 turns southward back into town via Washington Avenue and West Seventh Street to the left before departing New Castle by way of River Road. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Westbound on Delaware Avenue (Delaware 9 south & 273 west) on the approach to the south end of Delaware 141 (Basin Road) and Delaware 9 & 273 split. The scene here drastically changed in 1994 with the removal of a railroad underpass along Delaware Avenue over the abandoned Conrail tracks. Crews removed the span and reconstructed Delaware Avenue as a surface roadway with full shoulders. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Delaware 9 south & 273 west expand as they enter the confluence of Delaware 141 (Basin Road), Washington Avenue (Delaware 9 south) and Frenchtown Road (Delaware 273 west). Delaware 141 northbound travels to Basin Corner (junction U.S. 13-40-202). Delaware 273 west continues to Hares Corner (junction U.S. 13 & 40). Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Delaware 273 westbound continues straight through the Basin Road & Washington Avenue intersection to Hares Corner and junction U.S. 13 & 40 (Dupont Highway). Delaware 141 follows Basin Road 1.2 miles northward to the cloverleaf interchange with U.S. 13 & 40 and U.S. 202's southern terminus. Basin Road constitutes a four-lane arterial between New Castle and the Newport Freeway. Photo taken 04/10/04.
	Delaware 9 southbound turns onto Seventh Street from Washington Avenue for its departure from New Castle. Here the state route meets its original in-town alignment. Photo taken 08/10/04.
	East of Wrangle Hill and near the Texaco Refineries, Delaware 9 (River Road) meets the southern terminus of Delaware 72 (Wrangle Hill Road). The state route turns eastward onto Wrangle Hill Road toward Delaware City. Drivers continuing straight enter Clarks Corner Road en route to North St. Georges. Photo taken 08/10/04.
	Southbound reassurance shield for Delaware 9 posted along Wrangle Hill Road east of the terminus of Delaware 72. The town limits of Delaware City lie ahead. Photo taken 08/10/04.
Town of Delaware City
	Delaware 9 (Fifth Street) southbound within the town of Delaware City. Delaware City (pop. 1,453) resides along the Delaware River just north of Reedy Point and the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Incorporated in 1851, Delaware City was laid out in anticipation of the C + D Canal's construction. Photo taken 08/10/04.

The only traffic signal in operation within Delaware City resides at the Delaware 9 (Fifth Street) intersection with Clinton Street in the heart of town. Clinton Street travels between the Pea Patch Island Ferry to Fort Delaware State Park and Cox Neck Road within the town limits. Traffic turning westward toward Cox Neck Road can reach North St. Georges and junction U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway). By 2005, the older Eagle signs were replaced with McCains. Photos taken 08/10/04 & 05/15/05.

	Southbound Delaware 9 (Fifth Street) at Canal Street and the Delaware City Branch Canal. Canal Street parallels its namesake between Fifth and Clinton Streets and the Delaware City Marina. Delaware 9 departs the incorporated limits of Delaware City across the waterway. Photo taken 08/10/04.
County of New Castle
	Before Delaware 9 ascends onto the Reedy Point Bridge, the state route intersects New Castle Avenue and Polktown Place at Fort Dupont State Park. Dedicated in 1992, Fort Dupont State Park entails 322 acres and historic Fort Dupont. Named for Rear Admiral Samuel Francis du Pont, Fort Dupont was active between the Civil War through World War II. The fort was turned over to the state of Delaware after World War II. Photo taken 08/10/04.
	Many of the Delaware 9 reassurance shields posted along the coastal route include a redundant straight arrow. The assembly at the north end of the Reedy Point Bridge is no exception. Also posted here is an emergency advisory sign related to the nearby Salem Nuclear Power Plant. Photo taken 08/10/04.

		Opened in 1968, the cantilevered Reedy Point Bridge is named after its geographical location, Reedy Point. The two-lane span carries Delaware 9 high above the easternmost portion of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Opened to motorists and bicyclists alike, the span begins at Delaware City and Fort Dupont State Park and ends north of Port Penn. Splendid views of the coastal realm of eastern Delaware are afforded to southbound travelers. Also visible across the Delaware River is the Salem Nuclear Power Plant in Salem, New Jersey. Photos taken 08/10/04 & 05/15/05.

	Continuing the descent of the Reedy Point Bridge on Delaware 9 (Delaware City Port Penn Road) southbound. Much of Delaware 9 south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is routed through coastal wetlands. Featured throughout this stretch are protected lands such as the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally the state of Delaware has enacted legislation that limits coastal development ensuring the beauty and environmental health of the Delaware 9 corridor. Photo taken 08/10/04.
	South Reedy Point Road intersects Delaware 9 (Delaware City Port Penn Road) at the south end of the Reedy Point Bridge. The local highway stems northward to the canal itself and Dutch Neck Road. Dutch Neck Road loops north from Port Penn Road to S. Reedy Point Road. Photo taken 08/10/04.
Village of Leipsic
	Situated within the village of Leipsic (pop. 203) is the eastern terminus of Delaware 42 (Second Street). The state route ends at Delaware 9 (Denny Street) after entering the hamlet via Fast Landing Road. Fast Landing Road carries Delaware 42 four miles east from U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) at the community of Cheswold (pop. 313). Photo taken by Adam Froehlig 02/18/02.
Scenes pertaining to Delaware 9
	Port Penn Road travels eastward from U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) at Biddles Corner to Delaware 9 (Liberty Street) in the village of Port Penn. The roadway merges with Pole Bridge Road east of Boyds Corner and the confluence of U.S. 13, Delaware 896 (Boyds Corner Road), and the SR 1 Turnpike. Photo taken 04/04/04.
	Port Penn Road becomes Market Street upon entering the community of Port Penn. There the roadway carries Delaware 9 between Liberty Street and South Congress Street. Delaware 9 straddles the coastline between Port Penn, Augustine Beach, and Bayview Beach to the south via St. Augustine Road. Photo taken 04/04/04.
	Clinton Street eastbound at Delaware 9 (Fifth Street) in Delaware City. The only traffic light in town exists at this intersection. Clinton Street becomes Cox Neck Road westward en route to junction U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) and North St. Georges. Photo taken 12/99.

30" Eagle traffic signals at the intersection of Sixth and Delaware Streets in old New Castle. Delaware 9 used to travel Sixth Street between South Street and junction Delaware 273 (Ferry Cut Off Street). First photo taken along Delaware Street eastbound, 04/04/04. Second photo taken via 6th Street southbound on 08/10/04.

Page Updated December 18, 2007