Delaware Highway Vidcaps

Video captures of Delaware roads and highway signs taken from VHS footage filmed in the 1990s.

End SR 1 and SR 7 shield assembly on SR 1 north at Interstate 95. When the  SR 1/58 interchange was completed, a new end assembly was added further north. Both end signs were taken down between 2001 and 2004. 08/04/99

An oversized diagrammatic sign preceded the exit for Christiana Mall on SR 1/7 south of Interstate 95. This assembly was installed shortly after the opening of the SR 1 segment between SR 7 and SR 273 by Christiana. Replacements made by 2003 added a pull through sign displaying “SR 1 south – Dover/Beaches” and overheads for Exits 165 A/B for SR 7 south to Christiana and Mall Road. 08/04/99

Viewing construction of SR 1 between Exit 162 / SR 273 and Exit 164 / SR 7 south from the Christiana Mall access road (SR 7) overpass. The misaligned sections of roadway resulted in several lane shifts over the ensuing years. 04/01/92

Originally three southbound lanes continued from Interstate 95 to Delaware 273. This later changed with a lane drop taking place for Exit 164. (04/01/92)

SR 1 construction between the relocated SR 7 and original Mall Road overpass. The previous traffic pattern shifted SR 7 westward to join Stanton Christiana Road  south of the overpass . A traffic signal operated where the two-lane roadway intersected the Mall Road ramp. Construction of SR 1 eliminated the signal and removed the intersection with Mall Road. 04/01/92

The original Mall Road overpass and SR 7 alignment near Christiana Mall. This section of SR 1 Turnpike was the second to be completed statewide. The four lane freeway here opened to traffic in April 1993. 04/01/92

SR 1 north at the parclo  interchange (Exit 164) with SR 7 east of Christiana. Opened in 1993, this section crosses an area of wetlands between SR 273 (Christiana Road) and SR 7 (Stanton Christiana Road). The pull-through panel was later adjusted to display “Churchmn Cr” (short for Churchman’s Crossing) instead of Metroform. 03/21/94

Looking south from the Biddles Corner toll plaza at the unopened toll road. The same type of light fixtures were installed at the main toll plaza near Dover and at the SR 7/58 interchange at Churchman’s Crossing. 07/25/99

Looking at the southbound toll booths. High speed E-ZPass lanes operated between the north and southbound toll booths for cash-paying drivers. 07/25/99

The view toll takers saw southward from the northbound side toll booths. 07/25/99

Northward view of Biddles Corner Plaza and air conditioned toll booths. 07/25/99

Concrete barrier concealed staircases linking each toll booth with a pedestrian tunnel below the Biddles Corner Toll Plaza. 07/25/99

Looking west at the southbound toll plaza and unopened E-ZPass express lanes. 07/25/99

A northbound toll booth at the Biddles Corner Toll Plaza. 07/25/99

U.S. 13 was slightly relocated due to the construction of SR 1 south of Odessa. The realignment created an access issue for businesses and homes along the former portion of U.S. 13. SR 1 separated old U.S. 13 from the new alignment east of the toll road. 07/25/99

A service road was constructed underneath SR 1 to accommodate those residents and businesses located on the old U.S. 13. Temporary “OLD U.S. 13” signs were installed on then U.S. 13/SR 1 for the service road. 07/25/99

Shield assembly posted at temporary merge of SR 1 and U.S. 13 near South St. Georges . Between December 1995 and Fall 1999, a traffic light operated along the SR 1 northbound lanes where they shifted away from U.S. 13. This signal accommodated left turns from Saint Georges to the freeway lanes en route to Boyds Corner. 08/99

Metric diagram sign on U.S. 13/SR 1 south ahead of the Dover/Smyrna Bypass. Posted where the two routes formerly separated, this sign was eventually converted to use the Imperial system of measurement. 05/15/94

U.S. 113 / SR 10 overhead with metric units on SR 1 northbound. As of February 2004, U.S. 113 was truncated to the point where SR 1 and U.S. 113 converge in Milford. The removal of U.S. 113 on the stretch between Milford and Dover was enacted to “reduce confusion among motorists wishing to access the Delaware Beaches”. 05/15/94

Southbound on Interstate 95 at SR 896. The Toll sign pictured here was replaced with an E-ZPass advisory sign. Furthermore, DelDOT had no warnings that this interchange was the last exit before toll. As of Summer 2002, the panel for Exit 1 A was also replaced to include U.S. 301. Completion of the high speed E-ZPass lanes at the Newark toll plaza in 2011 resulted in new signage, including the last exit before toll distinction for Exit 1A. 07/99

Vintage Interstate 95 trailblazer on Adams Street north between Maryland and Lancaster Avenues in Wilmington. This assembly was replaced by the late 1990s. 03/18/94

Original overhead on Interstate 95 north along the Wilmington Viaduct. Label scaring visible on this panel alluded to Seventh Street, the previous off-ramp location for Exit 7. This assembly was replaced in 1998. 03/18/94

Original Interstate 95 north guide sign at the 10th and Adams Street entrance ramp. This is one of three ramps serving northbound I-95 within the city of Wilmington. The assembly was replaced in 1996. 03/18/94

Vintage guide signs posted on SR 52 (12th Street) north in the city of Wilmington. 08/04/99

SR 52 (12th Street) north at Adams Street. An entrance ramp links Adams Street with I-95 north nearby. The Interstate 95 shields on all guide signs along 12th Street were replaced in Spring 2000. 08/04/99

Original overhead for Exit 8 along Interstate 95 north in Wilmington. The U.S. 202 shield was moved to the right to accommodate the addition of “Concord Pike” to this sign. 03/18/94

The vintage overhead for Exit 8 was replaced in 1999. 03/18/94

Previous signage on I-295 south at U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway). U.S. 301 and Norfolk were dropped on replacement overheads and U.S. 13/40 were signed with the control points of New Castle Airport and Dover. 01/99

A likely original guide sign for the Landers Lane exit on I-295 north. 02/99

SR 9 north at the cloverleaf interchange with I-295. The Delaware River and Bay Authority replaced these overheads in February 1999 as part of a rehabilitation project along Interstate 295. 01/27/99

SR 34 (Faulkland Road) east at SR141 (Centre Road) near Centerville. The erroneous U.S. 141 shield remained in place until the early 2000s. 02/99

SR 15 north at the east end of SR 286 (Bethel Church Road). SR 286 was designated in 1994, the same year this footage was shot.

SR 42/300 shield assembly on SR 300 south in Kenton. The square shield design was the first used along Delaware highways. It was dropped in favor of the circular cutout displaying “DEL”. 07/11/94

U.S. 202 cutout posted along Market Street (U.S. 13 Business) north at Concord Ave (SR 202) in Wilmington. The trailblazer remained from when U.S. 202 northbound turned onto Concord Avenue from Market Street. 03/18/94

The cutout for U.S. 202 on U.S. 13 Business (Market Street) north at SR 202 (Concord Avenue) was replaced with this trailblazer for U.S. 202. This marker was eventually removed. SR 202 is unsigned from Market Street otherwise. 08/99

This lone assembly was the only sign posted for U.S. 13 Business on Delaware 202 (Concord Avenue) south in Wilmington. The north banner was still in place as of 2016. (07/99)

SR 37 constitutes a short route between SR 273 (Christiana Road) and SR 141 (Basin Road) to the west of New Castle County Airport (ILG). Pictured here is the south end of the route. 07/99

End SR 58 shield assembly at SR 4 in Churchman’s Crossing. This assembly was a replacement of previous signs that were burnt from an adjacent car fire. 07/99

 Interstate 95 trailblazers on Elkton Road west at Christina Parkway (SR 4) in Newark. These shields erroneously directed all motorists headed to I-95 north via the entrance ramp from MD 279. They were eventually replaced to include a truck banner above the north assembly. 07/99