NEWARK, Del. — This morning, Governor John Carney, U.S. Senator Thomas Carper, U.S. Senator Christopher Coons, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, Transportation Chief Engineer Robert McCleary, and a host of other dignitaries participated in a Department of Transportation (DelDOT) groundbreaking for the Newark Regional Transportation Center, Parking Lot and Access Road.

“This project represents an important part of our efforts to support the rebirth of the former Chrysler plant property. Having a modern rail facility in Newark is another great incentive for growing companies to choose the STAR Campus,” said Governor John Carney.

“The Newark Regional Transportation Center is a result of numerous parties – DelDOT, Governor Carney, our congressional delegation, the University of Delaware, Amtrak, and SEPTA – listening to the needs of our residents and business communities about how we can improve mass transit along the Northeast Corridor,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

The improved station will provide an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant high-level platform, expand parking, and provide significantly improved passenger amenities including a station building with bathrooms. This project will be built by multiple construction contracts. This first construction project will build the expanded surface parking lot, access road, and related improvements.

“Breaking ground on this project has been a long time coming,” said U.S. Senator Thomas Carper, who helped secure a $10 million TIGER IV grant for the transportation center in 2012. “When it’s finished, this federal investment will make our local transportation system more efficient, while also making it safer for drivers and passengers alike. The NRTC will breathe new life into this once bustling corridor, and this tremendous step forward would’ve been impossible without the commitment from all levels of government and our private partners to work together and deliver results to the people of the First State.”

“Students, researchers, and employees of regional companies will benefit from construction following today’s ground breaking,” said U.S. Senator Christopher Coons. “Rail lines are a critical piece of our state’s transportation infrastructure, so projects like this that increase capacity are very important to Delaware. Improving transportation options is critical to creating more livable communities. This project represents a strong collaborative effort that will bring tremendous benefits to our state and the region. I look forward to continuing to work with our partners as this project moves forward.”

“This project is another exciting step in the journey of the STAR Campus. The Newark Regional Transportation Center will increase the number of transportation options for Delawareans and helps improve the quality of life for residents up and down our state,” said U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester. “Partners from all sectors came together to make this project possible in a way that is truly unique to Delaware. I look forward to seeing the Newark Regional Transportation Center when it is completed as a part of this thriving campus.”

University of Delaware Executive Vice President Alan Brangman said, “University of Delaware’s STAR Campus is designed to link academic research and innovation with industry, today’s groundbreaking is the embodiment of that link. This station will be a magnet for future STAR tenants and economic driver for Newark and the State of Delaware. We look forward to seeing passengers disembark here en route to one of the hundreds of new jobs to be located on STAR Campus. The new station will bring benefits to the whole community, including our students.”

The project is partially funded by a $10 million TIGER IV Grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Other funding sources include the TTF, federal funds, the University of Delaware, City of Newark, WILMAPCO, and New Castle County.

Future construction projects will consist of a station building, platform, track modifications, and pedestrian overpass.

The contractor for the parking lot and access road is Greggo and Ferrara Inc. of New Castle, Delaware. The contractor submitted a bid of $4,816,345.60, the lowest of five bids received.

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