The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Roadway Safety Foundation have announced that Delaware is one of this year’s nine National Roadway Safety Award winners, which represent the nation’s best examples of innovation in highway safety. The biennial competition, which began in 1999, is an acknowledgement of successful approaches to improving roadway safety at the state and local level.

Delaware received the award for the use of a high-friction surface treatment (HFST) that can dramatically and immediately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities at locations where motorists brake frequently or where wet road surfaces reduce pavement friction, resulting in potential crashes. About 33,000 square yards of HFST has been installed at more than 20 locations throughout the state, reducing often-deadly roadway departure crashes by 56 percent.

In Delaware, roadway departure crashes accounted for 40 percent of all traffic-related fatalities from 2007 through 2014 and 21 percent of all serious injury crashes in the state.

“These awards recognize real and innovative solutions to some of the nation’s biggest safety challenges,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Brandye L. Hendrickson. “We commend Delaware for its efforts in saving lives and reducing injuries on our nation’s roads, and invite others across the country to put such life-saving solutions to work.”

“This recognition is a great example of how of our commitment to innovation is paying off and making our roads safer,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan. “I am extremely proud of our safety team that is led by Safety Program Manager Adam Weiser for their innovative work to develop a solution for a problem we see on roadways throughout the state.”

HFST is a type of ultra-thin pavement overlay that utilizes an epoxy resin or polymer binder and high-quality, polish-resistant aggregate. The additional skid resistance provided by this treatment allows motorists more opportunity to regain control of their vehicle, reduce their speed and stay on the roadway.

DelDOT has also begun evaluating intersection approaches where there are high rates of rear-end crashes to determine if the HFST can be installed to minimize skidding approaching stop-controlled and signal-controlled intersections.

Of the 32 applications this year, nine winners were selected. For complete details on each of the winners, and for more information on the national awards program, visit http://www.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadwaysafetyawards/.

As part of the ongoing US 301 Mainline Project, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has announced upcoming nighttime closures of SR 1 northbound for the installation of structural components for the new US 301 bridge over SR 1.

The SR 1 northbound closure between Pole Bridge and US 13 Northbound Free Ramp will occur on the following dates:

• 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28 until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29
• 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29 until 5 a.m. on Thursday, November 30
• 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 30 until 5 a.m. on Friday, December 1
• 9 p.m. on Friday, December 1 until 5 a.m. on Saturday, December 2

During the nighttime closure of SR 1 northbound, the tolls on SR 1 northbound-Boyds Corner Toll Plaza will be waived.

Detour Route: Pole Bridge Road to US 13 northbound and return to SR 1 northbound.

Variable message boards will also be posted to alert motorists of the upcoming SR 1 northbound closure and detour signage will be posted for motorists.

For further information of the US 301 Mainline Project, please visit https://www.deldot.gov/information/projects/us301/

DelDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) and WTMC-1380 AM provides motorists real-time traffic conditions throughout the state. Motorists can contact the TMC 24/7 to report any travel or traffic related issues at the following numbers: Dial #77 from any cell phone in Delaware.

As part of the ongoing US 301 Mainline Project, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has announced nighttime closures of SR 1 southbound between US 13 southbound and Pole Bridge Road for the installation of structural components of the new US 301 bridge over SR 1.

The closures will occur on the following:

• 9 p.m. on Saturday, November 18 until 7 a.m. on Sunday, November 19
• 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 19 until 5 a.m. on Monday, November 20
• 9 p.m. on Monday, November 20 until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21
• 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21 until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22
• The week after Thanksgiving: 9 p.m. on Monday, November 27 until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28
  SR 1 southbound will be closed between US 13 southbound and Pole Bridge.

Detour Route: Motorists should follow the posted detour to Exit 148/Lorewood Grove Road onto US 13 southbound to Pole Bridge Road and return to SR 1 southbound.

The tolls will be waived at the entrance to SR 1 southbound from Pole Bridge Road.

Additionally, the following lane closures will be in effect on Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 21 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.:

• A single left or right lane closure on SR 1 northbound and southbound between the Biddles Toll Plaza and the Roth Bridge.
• A single right lane closure along US 13 southbound between the Free Ramp to SR 1 and Port Penn Road.
• A single left lane closure along US 13 northbound between Hyetts Corner Road and Port Penn Road.

For further information of the US 301 Mainline Project, please visit https://www.deldot.gov/information/projects/us301/

DelDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) and WTMC-1380 AM provides motorists real-time traffic conditions throughout the state. Motorists can contact the TMC 24/7 to report any travel or traffic related issues at the following numbers: Dial #77 from any cell phone in Delaware.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is asking Adopt-A-Highway volunteers and others to help clean up Delaware’s roadsides during the department’s 13th annual Imagine A Litter-Free Delaware event, which will be held between 8am and 5pm on Saturday, October 20, and Sunday October 21, 2017. The rain date will be Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29, 2017.

DelDOT is encouraging current Adopt-A-Highway groups and volunteers to participate in the event, and it’s not too late for new volunteers to adopt a Delaware roadside for clean up.

If anyone would like to adopt a roadside, he or she can contact George Hollis in New Castle County at (302) 326-4523, Laura Young in Kent County at (302) 760-2413, or April Sammons in Sussex County at (302) 853-1315.

Participants in the Imagine A Litter-Free Delaware clean up should wear safety vests that DelDOT has provided to Adopt-A-Highway volunteers.

During 2016, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers picked up about 2,000 of the nearly 32,000 bags of trash collected along Delaware’s roads.

For more information, visit www.deldot.gov/Programs/adopt/adopt_a_hwy

Twenty transportation projects in Wilmington will lead to $258 million investment

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki were joined today by state and local officials, residents, and members of the business community at the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Train Station in Wilmington to highlight the significant infrastructure investments being made in the City of Wilmington.

Twenty projects underway or in planning stages by the Delaware Department of Transportation and the City of Wilmington will lead to a city investment of $258 million over the next six years. The investments includes $165 million for the upcoming two-year or more reconstruction of the I-95 Wilmington corridor. Governor Carney and Mayor Purzycki also announced today the awarding of contract for the construction and operation of the nearly $20 million Public Private Initiative for the Wilmington Transit Center to Transit Center, LLC. The new transportation hub for the city will be constructed adjacent to the Biden Train Station on Walnut Street.

“Alongside Mayor Purzycki, we’re working hard to invest in infrastructure in our city, which will help create jobs, improve travel, and spur economic development,” said Governor Carney. “Wilmington has been my home for three decades and we have to work together to reenergize our business district and strengthen our neighborhoods. These infrastructure improvements are an important part of this effort.”

Among the projects highlighted by the Governor and Mayor today were more than $12 million in pedestrian and transit improvements throughout downtown, reconfiguring Union Street, the removal of the Walnut Street Sweep, improved pedestrian and transit facilities on Fourth Street, and continued streetscape improvements in Southbridge. There projects are in addition to the previously announced construction of the Christina River Bridge on the Wilmington Riverfront will provide a much needed southern entrance and exit to the Wilmington Riverfront that will encourage further development on the Southbridge side of the river.

“The Governor and DelDOT Secretary Cohan have been steadfast in their commitment to improving vehicular travel, public transit and pedestrian safety in Wilmington by supporting projects that make travel more convenient for our citizens, workers and visitors,” said Mayor Purzycki. “We have a collective understanding that the economic benefits of infrastructure investment are significant, and as Wilmington’s neighborhoods and businesses become stronger, our City will contribute more to Delaware’s vibrancy and prosperity.”

“We are making major infrastructure improvements throughout the state, spending more than $780 million this year alone. These improvements in our state’s largest city will positively impact all who live and work in Wilmington,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

Other projects include:

• ADA improvements on Pennsylvania Avenue
• Streetscaping projects on Concord Avenue and Old Brandywine Village
• King and Orange Street Transit Improvements
• Maryland Avenue Paving and Rehabilitation

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