Resiliency improvements, KC, cypress branch RD

The Delaware Department of Transportation is requesting sealed bids for resiliency improvements on Cypress Branch Road in Kent County, with bids due September 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. local time via the DelDOT Bid Express platform or paper delivery to the DelDOT Administration Building in Dover. No pre-bid meeting is scheduled. All work must be completed within 32 calendar days, with an anticipated Notice to Proceed on or about November 9, 2026.

The project involves reconstruction of approximately 5.28 miles of Cypress Branch Road (Route K363) between Station 17+48.00 and Station 22+78.06, including raising a low-lying 420-foot roadway section by 1.75 feet to reduce tidal flooding overtopping, pavement rehabilitation with Type B and Type C asphalt mixes, bridge jacking and pile shimming operations on Bridge 363A over Cypress Branch, guardrail installation and replacement, drainage improvements, erosion control, clearing and grubbing, earthwork totaling approximately 363 cubic yards of excavation and 148 cubic yards of topsoil, and utility relocation. The project encompasses permanent wetland impacts of 0.0469 acres requiring U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit 18 and DNREC permits. Contractors must comply with Delaware's Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (January 2026), NPDES General Permit requirements, and stormwater pollution prevention protocols. Construction phasing requires complete road closure with detour notification to DART First State at least 14 days prior to implementation. Delaware prevailing wage standards apply to flaggers, who must be bid at minimum the Laborer wage rate and up to three times that rate.

Bidders must be registered with DelDOT through SimpliGov and hold Delaware business licensure. Contractors and subcontractors must provide drug testing affidavits certifying mandatory employee testing programs compliant with Delaware regulations. A surety bond or security deposit equal to at least 10 percent of the bid amount is required. No DBE set-asides apply. Retainage is withheld only when triggered by the Performance-Based Rating System; contractors with ratings below 85 percent must execute an Agreement to Accept Retainage to be considered.