Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred near Bethany Beach in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Charles W. Cullen Bridge

Indian River Inlet

Photographed by Charles Quandt, September 9, 2017

1. Charles W. Cullen Bridge Marker

Inscription. The present inlet was formed in 1929 and was widened and stabilized by the Corps of Engineers from 1938-1940. The first three bridges that spanned the inlet were plagued by a series of failures due to environmental and meteorological conditions. Most recently, severe channel bed scour to depths in excess of 100 feet threatened the long-term stability of the last bridge. Design of the current bridge commenced in September 2008. Over the next three plus years, dedicated crews endured some of the most extreme weather events on record, while tirelessly advancing the design and construction of the bridge. A series of regional storms, hurricanes, tropical storm's, and blizzards resulted in numerous bouts with high winds, repeated flooding and even record-setting snowfalls. At one point during construction, the ocean reached the bay just south of where this plaque is. Just prior to completing construction on the 950 foot main span, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the region and this bridge. Successfully withstanding each of these extreme events, this bridge was opened to traffic on January 20, 2012. It is the first to fully span

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the aggressive waters of the Indian River Inlet. The 152 cables stays, whose unique blue color was chosen by the public, and the 248 foot tall pylons, make this structure a unique and enduring landmark for Sussex County, Delaware.

Erected 2012.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical month for this entry is September 2008.

Location. 38° 36.545′ N, 75° 3.832′ W. Marker is near Bethany Beach, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred. It can be reached from Coastal Highway (Delaware Route 1 at milepost 12), on the right when traveling north. Park in the North Inlet parking lot. Use the footpath to approach the bridge. Marker is on the sidewalk side of the New Jersey wall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bethany Beach DE 19930, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Charles W. Cullen Bridge from the north pedestrian walkway entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles Quandt, September 9, 2017

2. Charles W. Cullen Bridge from the north pedestrian walkway entrance.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sand Bypass System (within shouting distance of this marker); Indian River Inlet and Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Life-Saving Service (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sand Bypass System (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Catching Waves (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Indian River Inlet and Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shipwreck of the Faithful Steward (approx. 1.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethany Beach.

Regarding Charles W. Cullen Bridge. This is the fourth bridge to span the Indian River Inlet.

Charles W. Cullen Bridge Marker mounted on pedestrian side of bridge sidewall. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles Quandt, September 9, 2017

3. Charles W. Cullen Bridge Marker mounted on pedestrian side of bridge sidewall.

Charles W. Cullen Bridge over Indian River Inlet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles Quandt, September 21, 2017

4. Charles W. Cullen Bridge over Indian River Inlet

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2017, by Charles Quandt of Dewey Beach, Delaware. This page has been viewed 964 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 9, 2017, by Charles Quandt of Dewey Beach, Delaware. 4. submitted on October 3, 2017, by Charles Quandt of Dewey Beach, Delaware. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.