Drive Safely Over 4th of July Holiday

With the 4th of July holiday approaching, DelDOT advises motorist to expect heavy traffic volumes on roads throughout the state this week, with Wednesday, July 3, expected to be the day with the heaviest traffic. AAA is forecasting a record-breaking 48.9 million Americans will travel this Independence Day, an increase of more than four percent from last year. More than 133,000 Delawareans, or 12 percent of the population, are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the holiday.

DelDOT also reminds motorists that there will be many pedestrians and bicyclists out at local parades and fireworks displays over the next several days.

“The 4th of July holiday is when we really see the summer travel season begin and we want everyone to reach their destination safely. With more people on the roads, driving cautiously and responsibly should be everyone’s top priority when they get behind the wheel,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

Motorists can increase their safety, and reduce the risk to others by doing the following:

• Always wear seatbelts
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Obey posted speed limits
• Do not drive distracted
• Do not drive aggressively

Following these five rules significantly decreases the likelihood of being involved in a crash as these are the leading cause of crashes involving serious injury or death on our roads. To date, there have been 46 crash-related fatalities on Delaware roads. The state has also seen an increase in fatal motorcycle crashes with eight in May and June. There are nearly 22,000 motorcycles registered in Delaware, and many of these crashes can be prevented through awareness by motorists and motorcyclists following the rules of the road.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, from drivers and passengers to bicyclists and pedestrians. With basic planning and preparation we can all make sure this is a safe Independence Day celebration for everyone,” said Ken Grant, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Before getting on the road, motorists can view real-time conditions from more than 110 traffic cameras by using DelDOT’s smartphone application or visiting http://www.deldot.gov. The free DelDOT App is available for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. Motorists can also listen to WTMC 1380 AM for updates on current road conditions.


New Claymont Train Station Project to Begin in Spring 2019

Governor Carney was joined by Senator Tom Carper, Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester, and other state and local officials today as he announced plans for the new Claymont Regional Transportation Center at First State Crossing, with initial construction scheduled to begin this spring.

“Across our state, we are investing $3.2 billion to modernize our transportation system through 2025, including about $1.7 billion in New Castle County. These are historic levels of investment that will ease congestion, pave the way for future growth, improve safety on our roads and create good-paying jobs,” said Governor John Carney. “With the Claymont Train Station project beginning this year and the Newark Train Station project underway, we are investing more than $130 million to improve rail infrastructure in our state to better serve our current ridership and accommodate future riders as well. These investments are an important part of our collective efforts to bring new jobs and residents to Claymont and communities throughout our state.”

The $71 million project was supported by a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“Three years ago, we knew this project had the potential to make a big impact on Claymont,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “The Congressional delegation went to work to convince then-US Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx that this project deserved a $10 million TIGER grant. It was easy to prove our point: This project is a perfect example of how transportation can create new opportunities for economic development through partnerships of government and private investment.”

SEPTA’s Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail Line has provided service to Claymont since 1991, offering 42 weekday trains and 14 weekend trains. Average weekday ridership out of Claymont is nearly 1,200 passengers.

The project was awarded to Wagman/JMT in January 2019 for $54 million and is estimated to be completed in fall 2021.


New US 301 Opens to Traffic

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that the new US 301 mainline has opened to traffic on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

The 14 mile-long US 301 mainline will improve safety and reducing congestion with the bypassing of 29 at-grade intersections, 18 of which are signalized, and numerous driveways with direct access to existing US 301. The existing US 301 will be converted to a local roadway, with truck restrictions in place except for local services.

“Opening the new US 301 to traffic is an important milestone in what has been a decades-long effort to address the safety and congestion issues created by the existing roadway,” said Governor John Carney. “This new road will only enhance our economic development efforts for businesses that are looking to grow and move their goods around Delaware and beyond as efficiently possible.”

State Representative Quinn Johnson added, “As a more than 20-year resident of Middletown, I’ve seen firsthand the growth that has and continues to take place in and around Middletown. The entire community will benefit from the reduction in truck traffic on local roads and the economic opportunities that arise from new companies looking to locate in this area.”

“When I was Governor, my administration identified the Route 301 corridor as an area of future high growth, and that is certainly what it has become,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “This highway project, funded by a federal government loan that I was proud to support, will improve safety for motorists and residents, reduce traffic and help bolster commerce through this booming area.”

“The construction of the new US 301 is an example of why our country needs to invest in our infrastructure. The construction of the road put hundreds of Delawareans from the building trades to work on a project that will help Delaware’s economy, reduce congestion, and improve road safety,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “I’m grateful to then Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx for providing a federal loan for this project, and I’m proud to have worked with our delegation to support federal funding for a project that will positively impact the entire First State. I look forward to celebrating its completion.”

“The U.S. 301 project and its all-electronic tolling system are a testament to smart planning and forward-looking infrastructure projects that ease congestion and boost our economy,” said Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. “This state-of-the-art roadway accounts for increases in our population and is an investment in our future that improves safety and mobility throughout the region.”

“I would like to thank our contractors and subcontractors who worked through one of the wettest construction seasons on record to move this project forward, and it is impressive that less than three years after groundbreaking we are now putting traffic on the new US 301,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan. “Work will continue to complete the entire project in 2019, and we look forward to having a formal opening event to celebrate this project.”

The new US 301 mainline is the first road in Delaware to use all electronic tolling, and tolling is active with users paying via their E-ZPass or being billed in the mail. For two axle vehicles using E-ZPass and traveling the entire road, the toll is $4, and $5.60 for those without E-ZPass.

Ground was broken for the US 301 project on February 5, 2016. The project is partially funded by a $211 million U.S. Department of Transportation loan that will be paid back through toll collections on the highway. The total cost of the project, including land purchases and the maintenance of a reserve fund, is estimated at $636 million.


DelDOT Winter Storm Update

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) continues to plow and salt roads across New Castle County as nearly three inches has fallen in many areas as of 2:30pm. DelDOT maintenance & operations yards are fully staffed and more than 100 plow trucks are active on the roads. In addition, plow trucks and staff from Kent and Sussex counties have also been deployed to assist in New Castle County, as the storm has primarily been a rain event in the southern part of the state.

DelDOT advises motorists that the evening rush hour is likely to be difficult as snow continues to fall and numerous accidents have been reported across the county. Please use extra caution on the roads and give DelDOT plows plenty of space to work as they continue to salt and plow this afternoon and evening.


Dover Bridge Named in Honor of Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki

Today, Governor John Carney, Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan, Delaware’s congressional delegation, and military and veterans’ leaders gathered at Dover Air Force Base to dedicate the bridge over Route 1, between DAFB and base housing, to Elizabeth Loncki, the first Delaware woman killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This Sunday, October 14, would be Senior Airman Loncki’s 35th birthday.

Senior Airman Loncki, 23, died on Jan. 7, 2007, after her explosive ordnance disposal team was targeted by a car bomber near Baghdad, Iraq. Loncki, a New Castle native, attended St. Peter the Apostle grade school and graduated from Padua Academy in Wilmington in 2001. She briefly attended the University of Arizona before enlisting in the Air Force.

“Today we are honoring Elizabeth Loncki-a Delaware hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving her country,” said Governor Carney. “I am humbled by the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform who selflessly go into harm’s way to protect us here and abroad. We are proud of all those who have served, and for the many sacrifices made by our active duty and reserve members, our veterans, and their families, in order to preserve our freedoms.”

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, said, “I am honored to be a part of the naming of this bridge for Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We owe our servicemen and women a debt of gratitude, and now the thousands of motorists who travel up and down Route 1 for work, school, and to reach their vacation destinations will have the important reminder that they are free to do all of those things because of the sacrifice of service members like Elizabeth Loncki.”

“Today is a wonderful opportunity to remember the ultimate sacrifice that Sr. Airman Elizabeth Loncki made for her country,” stated U.S. Sen. Chris Coons. “The bridge will be a reminder to all who travel it of Liz’s memory, her dedication to her profession, and her unconditional love of country and while today’s dedication is a fitting tribute, there are other ways we can honor Liz’s memory, such as answering the challenges our veterans face, ensuring they have the resources, the treatment, and the support they have earned and deserve including strengthening mental health and employment services.”

“In January 2007, 23-year-old Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki made the ultimate sacrifice for her brothers and sisters in arms, her family, and her country,” U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester said. “This bridge is much more than just concrete and steel. It serves as a reminder of Elizabeth’s bravery and willingness to answer a calling higher than herself. With the dedication of this memorial, her memory and spirit will live on.”

Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan added,”Elizabeth Loncki was a brave young woman who sacrificed her life in service to her country, and DelDOT is grateful to have the opportunity to name this bridge in her honor. Elizabeth’s dedication to the greater good is something that we should all strive to emulate, and we hope that this bridge will serve as a lasting testimony to her values.”

“We are honored to share in dedicating the bridge, which most of us use on a daily basis, to the honor and memory of Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki,” said Colonel Joel Safranek, commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base. “She made the ultimate sacrifice for her country, and it is only fitting to have this memorial here at Dover where we return our fallen service members with dignity, honor and respect. I am grateful to be part of this and pleased to see the project come to completion.”

“Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki was competitive, battling stereotypes to prove she belonged in a male dominated career (explosive ordinances),” said Larence Kirby, executive director of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. “She was brave beyond words, performing duties that few can envision. When she return from disarming explosives, we deployers thanked God for her safety and understood her efforts kept us safe. When we lost her to a violent enemy, we prayed for her soul internalizing the significance of her sacrifice, knowing she did so willingly in defense of our nation.”

Staff Sergeant Johny Hargove, who proposed the idea for naming the bridge for Elizabeth Loncki, remarked, “I would like to thank the Congressional Delegation, Governor Carney, Secretary Cohan, Mayor Christiansen and all of the Representatives for being here on this worthwhile occasion. It is certain that we all have one thing in common today and that is our admiration for Senior Airman Liz Loncki. I can’t think of a better way to be reminded of her sacrifice than to see her name memorialized on this bridge. Thank you to all who made this possible. It gives me great privilege to be on the team that brought this to fruition.”