DelDOT and DSP Preparing for Golf Tournament Traffic Impacts

The BMW Championship begins next week at the Wilmington Country Club and will bring thousands of visitors to northern Delaware for the nearly weeklong event that concludes on Sunday, August 21, 2022. DelDOT is reminding residents and vistors to expect heavier traffic volumes on area roads during the tournament, and will be working with Delaware State Police to manage traffic in the area of the country club and shuttle parking location at Delaware Park.

The Wilmington Country Club, located on Route 52, will have no public parking for the event, and there will be no public parking permitted along area roads or in neighborhoods near the country club. Additionally, Kirk Road between Route 52 and Montchanin Road will be closed to through traffic daily starting Monday, August 15, through Sunday, August 21, from 6am-8pm. Local residents will be allowed access at all times via a credential they have been issued. Buck Road, just to the south of Kirk Rd will serve as the detour during this closure.

For those traveling around the area of the country club next week, DelDOT will not be performing any construction activity west of 141, and heavier traffic volumes should be expected along with continually running shuttle buses taking attendees to and from the designated parking venues. There may also be some intermittent lane shifts on Route 52 at the entrance of the country club to accommodate the entry and exit of shuttle buses, however, through traffic on Route 52 will continue at all times.

The designated parking areas for visitors to the tournament are at Delaware Park in Stanton and Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. More information on parking and shuttle service to the event can be found here. Traffic around Delaware Park will be heavier than normal, and DelDOT traffic teams will be monitoring the area and making traffic signal timing adjustments as necessary throughout the week.

DelDOT reminds everyone to put safety first and be mindful of the heavier traffic volumes and potential for delays when traveling around northern Delaware next week, allowing extra time to reach your destinations or taking advantage of public transportation with DART First State.


DelDOT Marks Completion of Georgetown East Gateway Project

Delaware Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski was joined today by U.S. Senator Tom Carper and state and county officials to mark the completion of the $19.1 million project that began in spring 2020.

The project addressed numerous issues at the Airport Road/Sandhill Road/Route 9 intersection in Georgetown. Improvements include roadway realignment, additional turn lanes, signal enhancements, pavement resurfacing, bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, transit stops, new lighting, and a roundabout on Sand Hill Road at the entrance of the Georgetown CHEER Center.

Delaware’s Congressional Delegation of U.S. Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester helped DelDOT, supported by Sussex County Council, secure a $7 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the project in 2018, which was also the first TIGER grant secured for Sussex County.

“We have transformed what was a problematic intersection into one that can safely accommodate not just the increased vehicle traffic but pedestrians and bicyclists as well,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “The project team did an outstanding job coordinating with the community to deliver this project.”

“Federal programs like this one are fiercely competitive and focus on performance and outcomes, rather than earmarks with no accountability,” said Sen. Carper. “This project is deserving of this federal funding – not only is it a safer intersection, but there is now better accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as an improved area to attract and grow business.”

Ground was broken in May on another significant Georgetown infrastructure project, the relocation of Park Avenue, with completion of phase 1 expected in early 2024.


DelDOT Advises Travelers to Expect Heavy Traffic Over 4th of July Holiday

As the 4th of July holiday weekend approaches, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) advises motorist to expect heavy traffic volumes on roads throughout the state. AAA Mid-Atlantic is forecasting more than 116,000 Delawareans will travel at least 50 miles during the holiday weekend.

In addition, DelDOT reminds motorists that there will be many pedestrians and bicyclists out and local parades and fireworks displays taking place over the long weekend that will impact traffic.

“No matter how you plan to get around this weekend, doing so safely should be everyone’s top priority,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “We want everyone to reach their destination safely as the summer travel season begins and more people are on the roads.”

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 75 crash-related fatalities on Delaware roads, a 40% increase over the same time period last year.

For residents and guests to eastern Sussex County, DART’s Beach Bus routes will have additional buses running this weekend before and after the fireworks display in Rehoboth and is just $2 to ride one way and parking is free at park & ride locations in Rehoboth and Lewes. DART’s entire 4th of July schedule can be viewed here.

DelDOT also has more than 200 traffic cameras available on DelDOT.gov and the free DelDOT mobile app to view real-time traffic conditions across the state.


DelDOT Observes National Pollinator Week

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is observing National Pollinator Week and continuing its commitment to promote the establishment of pollinator sites across the state.

DelDOT has recently established two new pollinator areas on its’ campus in Dover, adding to the 60 sites previously created through the Department’s “Enhancing Delaware Highways” initiative. The Department’s largest pollinator site, Dove’s Nest, is a 43-acre meadow located adjacent to U.S. 301 in Middletown planted with native wildflowers that bloom across the growing season to ensure that pollinators have a food source all year long and Milkweed to provide a breeding habitat for the monarch butterfly, which has seen its numbers drop by nearly 80 percent.

In addition to supporting pollinators these sites beautify roadside landscapes with native plants and reduce the need for mowing.

“In an average year, DelDOT mows more than 51,000 acres of grass across the state and making some of these areas pollinator-friendly is another way we can increase our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.

In May, the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles’ Support Pollinators license plate was recognized by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association’s (ALPCA), receiving the Best Plate Award for 2021. The Support Pollinators Plate showcases a combination of vibrant colors, native plants, birds, bees, and butterflies. Purchasing the plate for a one-time fee of $50 online or at any DMV location, helps support pollinator habitat maintenance throughout the State of Delaware. Seventy percent of the fee or $35 goes directly to DelDOT’s Environmental Stewardship Office to assist with creating, enhancing, and preserving pollinator habitats. To date, more that 500 plates have been purchased.

To celebrate the national recognition, visitors to the Delaware State Fair will be able to enter for a chance to win one of the new Support Pollinators plates by stopping by the DelDOT booth in the Delaware building.

National Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership to address the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations, as pollinators provide pollination services to over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1200 crops. Pollinator Week has now grown into an international celebration, promoting the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, moths, wasps, and flies. More information can be found at pollinator.org.


New DMV Support Pollinator Plate Creating a Buzz

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is excited to announce its new specialty Support Pollinators License Plate recently won the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association’s (ALPCA) Best Plate Award for 2021.

This morning at 10:00 am Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski, Deputy Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings, Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles Director Jana Simpler, Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles Deputy Director Amy Anthony, Senator Stephanie Hansen, and Cyndi McCabe President of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association gathered at St. Jones Reserve in Dover to celebrate the award-winning plate.

The Support Pollinators Plate showcases a combination of vibrant colors, native plants, birds, bees, and butterflies. By purchasing the plate for a one-time fee of $50 online or at any DMV location, you help support pollinator habitat maintenance throughout the State of Delaware. Seventy percent of the fee or $35 goes directly to the Delaware Department of Transportation’s Environmental Stewardship Office to assist with creating, enhancing, and preserving pollinator habitats.

“At DMV we strive to provide a first-class experience for everyone whether in person, on the phone or online,” shared Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “Our specialty plates give our customers the ability to financially support an organization and an avenue to proudly display their support. For us they are more than just aluminum collections of numbers you affix a sticker every couple of years. They symbolize causes near and dear to our customers. It’s a service we are proud to provide.”

“The Support Pollinators Plate bloomed from a collaboration between DelDOT’s Environmental Studies Office, Senator Stephanie Hansen, former Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohen, and the Delaware Native Species Commission,” commented Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles Jana Simpler. “The process took about 2 years and we were beyond thrilled with the final design. It’s really a stunning plate. We are so grateful to be recognized by APLCA.”

“So much of the food we eat everyday depends on the tiniest animals whose incredible work many of us take for granted, and one of the best ways we can protect the fragile ecosystems of these often highly-specialized creatures is by making sure we are all aware of their importance,” said Senator Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown. “That’s why I worked with Representative Debra Heffernan, Senator Dave Sokola and the Delaware DMV last year to create a special Delaware license plate for people who want to support pollinator habitat creation and conservation. While we didn’t set out to win any awards, we all know how serious Delaware takes its license plates, and I’m so excited this beautiful design is getting the attention it deserves.”

ALPCA’s Best Plate Award Coordinator Gus Oliver said “Many of the members commented about the combination of attractiveness and how the plate number did not interfere with the design like it does with most colorful plates. I knew it had an excellent chance of winning the moment I first saw it.”

Community Relations Officer Susan Lee crafted the initial plate design and Susan Detwiler an author and illustrator from Baltimore, Maryland transformed the concept into the colorful work of art now available from DMV. To date, 531 Support Pollinators plates have been reserved since its June 2021 release.

To purchase yours or one of our other specialty plates go to dmv.de.gov/VehicleServices/tags/. Also, make sure to stop by and see us at the Delaware State Fair July 21 through July 30. In addition to DMV’s annual 5 digit black and white tag giveaway, we’ll be giving away a Support Pollinators Plate to recognize this special plate and all it’s attempting to achieve.

This is the state’s second time winning an ALPCA for best license plate. Back in 2008, the organization declared Delaware’s limited-edition Centennial License Plate the best in the country. The DMV currently has 135 specialty plates representing a variety of organizations and causes. Out of the 1,141,367 vehicles registered in the State of Delaware 39,044 are specialty plates.

ALPCA members worldwide nominate the best new plates and then vote based on two judging criteria: the overall attractiveness of the license plate design and its legibility as a tool for public safety and law enforcement. Since 1954, ALPCA has promoted license plate collecting and research, the exchange of information and plates. With over 2,800 members from 50 states and 19 countries, ALPCA is the largest license plate hobbyist organization in the world. For more information on the award or to see the other nominees visit alpca.org/bestplate/2021/.