One of the East Coast’s major interstate connectors has disappeared from the map -- literally.
Internet giant Google eliminated a portion of Interstate 495 in Delaware from its iPhone and Android map apps and online maps after a bridge along the highway was closed because it was tilting. The road which snakes along the Delaware River in Wilmington is used as a fast bypass of Interstate 95, the major East Coast artery.
Looking at the map Wednesday morning, I-495 ends at Exit 2 (Terminal Avenue) going northbound and Exit 3 (E 12th Street) going southbound leaving about a 1.5-mile gap on the map. (Google's satellite image continued to show the roadway.)
- EARLIER COVERAGE: Tilting Bridge Will Remain Closed
The highway nightmare was described by officials as a "Defcon 5" situation as crews warned motorists the tilting road will be closed indefinitely.
Officials closed the span, which carries an average of 90,000 vehicles around downtown Wilmington and to the Port of Wilmington, on Monday night after officials discovered the leaning. The worst of the four piers, support 12, is tilted 2 feet to the side, engineers found.
It’s not clear why Google decided to eliminate the highway on its map despite the roadway still standing. NBC10 contacted Google for comment.
