Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Creating Jobs While Investing in a Modernized Infrastructure

In nearly every corner of our state, DelDOT employees, contractors and construction workers are paving streets, upgrading intersections, repairing bridges, adding bike lanes and sidewalks, and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities. They’re working to make our roads safer and less congested, ensuring that we have a first-class transportation system. Last week we celebrated their efforts at the completion of the I-95 / 202 interchange improvement project. It was the latest development in a massive overhaul of our I-95 corridor, which included a new toll plaza with high speed EZ Pass lanes, an extra lane through the busy Route 141 and I-295 interchange, and the creation of fly-over ramps to reduce congestion at Route 1. The progress we’ve seen there is happening throughout Delaware. In Rehoboth Beach we’re installing new sidewalks to improve safety and increase accessibility for people with disabilities. We’re adding a third lane to Route 26 to eliminate tie-ups between Ocean View and Clarksville. And the West Dover Connector will bring businesses and residential communities closer together. The projects don’t pay for themselves. We will see much more needed repairs and construction because of support from members of the General Assembly. Their vote this year shored up our state’s Transportation Trust Fund, addressing a major funding shortfall and setting our state on the right course for the future. Finding new sources of revenue in a tight fiscal environment is not easy. But investing in Delaware’s infrastructure means safer and more efficient roads for our citizens. It also means more jobs both during construction and at the businesses that have opportunities to start and expand operations as a result of a high quality transportation system. And all of that keeps Delaware moving forward.