DOVER, DEL. — As the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) prepares to celebrate the opening of the new Indian River Inlet Bridge (IRIB) in January 2012, it announced that it is partnering with the Division of Cultural Affairs to create two displays that tell the story of Delaware's Indian River Inlet, including the archaeology, environmental impacts, history of bridges in this area, as well as attributes of the new bridge. These displays showcase the complex task of bridge building, as well as celebrating the near completion of one of Delaware's most iconic bridges.

The first display will be located in an enclosed case at the I-95 Visitor Center, 530 John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Newark, throughout 2012, and will consist of actual materials used in the construction of the bridge including concrete components, stay cable strands and tubing, rebar, sand, etc.

The second display is made up of five panels that are 4 feet wide by 8 feet high each. These panels depict the history, environment, archaeology and an overview of features of the new bridge. The five-panel display will be available for public viewing at several locations and times.

As a part of the bridge's dedication ceremony planned for spring 2012, items for a historical time capsule are being put together. DelDOT is seeking suggestions from the general public for a specific Delaware item they believe should be placed in the time capsule. The suggested item should represent life in the First State as the bridge is completed.

If unable to visit one of the historical displays, DelDOT encourages you to visit its project website, www.irib.deldot.gov, under "Education", and click on "Historical Display" to view a web version. Due to the significance of the IRIB project, this website (www.irib.deldot.gov) will remain accessible indefinitely.