Location: Lewes, Delaware, USA
Product: Hollo-Bolt® by Lindapter®
Client: Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) & Delaware Administration for Regional Transit (DART)
Engineer: Joseph Barbato Associates

The Lewes Transit Center was conceived to alleviate growing traffic congestion, especially during the busy summer beach season, and to provide a modern transit-oriented park and ride facility for residents and visitors heading to Delaware’s coastal areas. The multi-phase project includes a 248-space Park & Ride, bicycle racks, electric car charging stations, bus shelters/boarding areas, a visitor/passenger center with real-time information displays, toilets and waiting areas, as well as a maintenance facility for DART’s bus fleet.

The client required a durable, reliable, and efficient structural solution for the transit center’s steel-framed bus shelters. Given the center’s coastal location, long-term durability and resistance to moisture, salt air, and harsh weather were essential. The solution also had to enable rapid installation to meet tight construction schedules tied to the phased rollout and seasonal peak demand. Finally, it needed to comply fully with building and safety codes, supporting safe access during installation and reducing the need for hot-works wherever possible.

Hollo-Bolt was selected as the preferred connection method because it provided a secure, high-strength solution from one side, an important advantage over through-bolting or welding, particularly when working with hollow structural section or prefabricated components. Its one-sided installation allows each bolt to be placed into a predrilled hole and tightened quickly without the need for hot-work permits, welding operations, or specialist equipment, significantly improving field safety and efficiency. In addition, Hollo-Bolt’s independent technical accreditations provide assurance of structural performance and compliance with safety standards, an essential requirement for public infrastructure and transit facilities.

Installation was straightforward: prefabricated steel beams with predrilled holes allowed the contractor to insert and torque each Hollo-Bolt with only a wrench, from one side, significantly reducing labor time, eliminating the need for hot work permits or welding safety measures, and avoiding disruption to adjacent areas. The ease of installation helped the contractor keep to the tight construction schedule.

The Lewes Transit Center opened successfully in May 2017 with a full park & ride, shelters/canopies, bus-stop infrastructure and passenger amenities, offering a modern, accessible transit hub for DART First State. The use of Hollo-Bolt connections contributed to a faster, safer build process, avoiding welding in the field, reducing installation time, and ensuring safe working.

The Hollo-Bolt connections provided long-term corrosion resistance, improving the durability of the shelters in a coastal environment. By meeting structural, safety, and installation efficiency requirements, the project delivered a robust transit facility that supports increased ridership and reliable year-round service.

• Fast and convenient installation from one side
• No specialist equipment or hot-work permits needed
• Independent technical approvals