DRPA: Sparks from welder caused Delaware Memorial Bridge fire
The Delaware Memorial Bridge (Andrea Gibbs/WHYY)
Engineers are still inspecting the area where a construction fire closed both spans of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, halting traffic between New Jersey and Delaware.
Delaware River and Bay Authority spokesman Jim Salmon says sparks from welding ignited construction material underneath the bridge around 10 a.m. Wednesday, forcing officials to close the twin spans.
The New Jersey-bound span reopened just before 11 a.m., while two of the four lanes of the Delaware-bound span were reopened a few hours later. Engineers were still inspecting the remaining two lanes Wednesday afternoon.
EXPECT DELAYS: Construction fire under @delmembridge under control, DE span remains closed #NetDE https://t.co/bAVPogsFVP pic.twitter.com/j3FBKMoqAG
— delawareonline (@delawareonline) June 7, 2017
The bridges connect the New Jersey Turnpike with the Delaware Turnpike and are a key link for heavily-traveled Interstate 95.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority says more than 86,000 vehicles daily travel over the spans.
There is no word of injuries.
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