New toll rates at Delaware Memorial Bridge will fund necessary safety and infrastructure improvements

WILMINGTON, Del. – On Wednesday, Delaware Governor John Carney and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a resolution related to the proposed Delaware Memorial Bridge toll rate increase, to fund necessary safety and infrastructure projects. The new proposal will generate $32M in increased annual toll revenue compared to the previous $34M proposal.

The modified proposal includes the following changes:

• EZ-Pass discount for passenger car/small truck “home agency” users (NJ EZ-Pass or DelDOT account holders) of 25 cents off the $5 toll rate.
• Frequent Traveler discount rate increases from $1.25 to $1.75. On 1/1/2021, the rate increases to $2.25. Frequent Traveler program is 20 trips in 90 calendar days.
• Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Five Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is amended from $423M to $399M.
• Implementation date deferred for two months from March 1 to May 1, 2019.

“Discussions on a path forward were positive and constructive and I’m pleased we were able to find common ground,” said Governor Carney. “With additional revenue, the DRBA can now proceed with many vital infrastructure investments at Delaware Memorial Bridge and Cape May-Lewes Ferry that otherwise would have been delayed or postponed indefinitely. Thank you to Governor Murphy for his willingness to work together to fund these important infrastructure investments.”

Carney noted that the additional toll revenue is now available to match the $22.3 million BUILD federal grant, the $6 million Federal Transit Administration Grant to Repower and Retrofit two ferry vessels, as well as numerous federal grants at the agency’s aviation facilities.

“I’m thrilled to have worked with Governor Carney to generate this modified proposal that is more fair to commuters, and allows us to invest in the Delaware Memorial Bridge to keep it in good-repair,” said Governor Murphy. “This modified proposal allows us to ensure the safe passage of travelers from New Jersey and Delaware, while addressing the commuting costs of our residents, critical goals shared by both states.”

Murphy added that the DRBA agreed to cancel or defer infrastructure projects that would be value-added to their operation, but not vital or essential for the particular facility. Most of these are at the Cape May – Lewes Ferry.

With the additional revenue, the DRBA now has the resources to fund the following significant major capital projects planned at Delaware Memorial Bridge and Cape May – Lewes Ferry: Bridge Paint Removal and Recoating ($48.2 million); Suspension Rope Replacement ($24.5 million); Bridge Steelwork Repairs ($40.5 million); Pin and Link Rehabilitation on Both Structures of DMB ($19.7 million); Ship Collision Protection System ($45.2 million); Bridge Deck Repair ($21.5 million); Transfer Bridge Repairs at the Cape May – Lewes Ferry ($4.3 million); and Ferry Repowering Program ($9.5 million).

The DRBA Commission plans to vote on Resolution 19-01 (Delaware Memorial Bridge Revised Toll Schedule) at its board meeting on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

DOVER – The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs welcomes veterans, their families and the public at large to join in two Memorial Day observances scheduled for the holiday weekend.

As in previous years, the Commission will host ceremonies on separate days at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear and at the foot of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, honoring those who lost their lives in the service of their nation.

What: DCVA Memorial Day Observances

Who: Gov. John Carney; Secretary of State Jeff Bullock; DCVA Commissioners; members of the Congressional Delegation; state legislators; local officials; Delaware veterans and their families

When/Where: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27
Parade Field Grounds, Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery
2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear

When/Where: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 30
War Memorial Plaza, Delaware Memorial Bridge
163 Cherry Lane, New Castle

Contact: Larence Kirby, Executive Director
Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs
Department of State
larence.kirby@delaware.gov
302-739-2293

The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs and the Air Force Sergeants Association would like to take this opportunity to invite you to attend the annual Veterans Day service on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.

This program is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. The service will be held at the Memorial Plaza, Delaware Memorial Bridge, New Castle, Delaware.

The National Veterans Day Committee in Washington, DC has designated Veterans Day in New Castle, DE, as a National Veterans Day Regional Site for our nation’s annual Veterans Day celebration. We are proud to participate along with 50 similarly recognized sites throughout the United States and look forward to your presence.

Please call the office of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs with any questions, (302) 739-2792. You can also visit the site at www.veterans.delaware.gov.

When/Where: Monday, May 25, 2015 @ 11:00 am. Memorial Day Service being held at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701.

When/Where: Saturday, May 30, 2015 @ 10:30 am. Memorial Day Service will be conducted at the War Memorial Plaza, Delaware Memorial Bridge, New Castle, DE 19721.

The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs will be honoring all the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. Military. We would like to extend this invitation to our fellow Delawareans and our neighboring states in paying tribute to all our deceased veterans on this most solemn day. The service held on May 25^th will be hosted by the Military Officers Association of America-MOAA. The next service held on May 30^th will be hosted by American Veterans- AMVETS.

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day? It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries, memorials and participating in parades.

Also, look out for all the Buddy Poppy distributions during this holiday. “To honor the dead by helping the living,” as stated by VFW’s Buddy Poppy Program. On that note, we would like to share this following poem by John McCrae, In Flander’s Field: In flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky, the larks, still bravely singing, fly, scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago, we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved and now we lie, in flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe to you, from failing hands, we throw, the torch, be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us, who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow, in flanders fields.