Governor’s Weekly Message: Creating Jobs, Opportunity by Improving our Transportation Network

(Smyrna, DE) – As a guest host for the Governor’s weekly message, filmed at the Transportation Management Center in Smyrna, Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt explains how investing in improvements to Delaware’s transportation network will not only improve roads and bridges, but will also boost the State’s economy.

“Whether you use Delaware’s roads, buses or rails to get to work, travel with family or transact business, you have a stake in how well they function now and in the future,” said Secretary Bhatt. “Governor Markell’s First State Transportation Investment Plan will fix and improve our roads and bridges, it will boost our economy, and it will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/P92XO3a4mTc
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Creating Jobs, Opportunity by Improving our Transportation Network


Storm Report #4 – Wednesday Midday January 22 (11:30am)

(Smyrna) – The State of Emergency in Delaware was lifted by Governor Jack Markell at 10am this morning, along with the Level 1 Driving Warning.  All state offices are closed today, during the regular business hours of 8am to 4:30pm.  Non-essential state employees are not to report for work during this period, while essential employees should report as scheduled.  Government offices in all three counties as well as the cities of Wilmington, Newark, Dover and others across the state also closed today.

Winds will be 15-20 MPH today with gusts up to 30 MPH.  Bitterly cold air will through the remainder of the week and temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing until Saturday.  The cold and wind are combining to create dangerous wind chills.

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) reports that salt is ineffective on roads when temperatures are in the single digits, and crews are working against winds that blow snow back onto cleared roads.  Major roads in New Castle and Kent Counties are covered with ice and slush, and the speed limit on I495 and the Roth Bridge (SR 1) is reduced to 45 MPH.  The snow ended later in Sussex County this morning where roads are wet with light snow and minimal accumulation.   Travel will remain hazardous due to snow covered roadways and drifting, and those conditions will continue throughout the day Wednesday.  The commute on Wednesday afternoon will be impacted by blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas.

There were a total of 1,721 power outages across the state, with most occurring this morning when 1686 Delaware Electric Cooperative customers in Sussex County lost electricity.  As of 11am, fewer than 500 customers of Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative are without power.

All school districts in Delaware are closed today.  Wednesday, January 22nd.  Some colleges and universities have posted their status on school websites, with Wilmington University and Goldey-Beacom and Wesley Colleges closed.  Delaware Technical and Community College Stanton, Wilmington, Terry and Owens campuses are closed.  The University of Delaware will be opening at noon.