Controlled burn sets stage for U.S. 301 pollinator site

 

Photographs available online for media use at Flickr 

Aerial drone footage videos on YouTube: Video #1   Video #2  Video #3

MIDDLETOWN, Del. — State officials hope that a controlled burn on a 43-acre former farm field along U.S. Route 301 will provide fertile ground for “Delaware’s first pollinator mitigation site” – a place where native wildflowers will flourish and restore lost habitat for pollinators such as bees and birds.

The Delaware Forest Service conducted the successful firing operation on March 20 in cooperation with DelDOT and DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, which supplied valuable personnel, logistical support, and equipment. Thanks to favorable weather conditions and DelDOT lane adjustments on U.S. 301 North, the four-hour burn caused minimal disruptions to traffic and virtually no smoke effects on the adjacent Spring Mill housing development.

A “controlled burn” is a fire that is intentionally set for forest management or other natural resource goals and carefully monitored by trained firefighters and emergency personnel. The Delaware Forest Service uses controlled burn exercises to improve wildfire response capabilities, increase staff training, and ensure equipment readiness. However, fire also helps achieve critical land management objectives. Controlled burns are an effective way to complete site preparation for reforestation and help remove undesirable invasive plant species. For the U.S. 301 project, planners concluded that fire was the best way to remove woody encroachment in order to create and maintain an “early successional habitat” favorable to pollinators. Conversely, if the site was simply left on its own, the area would likely revert to forestland over time.

“The Delaware Forest Service was happy to participate in this multi-agency cooperative project to benefit pollinator and wildlife species along U.S. 301. We hope that Delaware citizens and visitors to the First State will enjoy and appreciate this site for many years to come,” said Kyle Hoyd, Delaware’s assistant state forestry administrator who oversees its wildlfire program.

DelDOT’s plans for the Dove Nest Mitigation Site noted that “pollinator diversity and prevalence have declined in the Middletown area over the past half century, due in part to lost habitat. Pollinators need native, flowering plants and places to lay eggs/nest. Many parts of Delaware that were once agricultural strongholds are rapidly being converted to residential uses, leading to fewer fallow fields and marginal areas, where many wildflowers grow.” That’s when officials began exploring plans to create a pollinator mitigation site.

Media contact:
John Petersen, Delaware Forest Service
cell: 302-233-8180
john.petersen@delaware.gov

The Delaware Forest Service directed a successful controlled burn at a 43-acre farm field along U.S. 301 as part of site preparations for “Dove Nest,” a DelDOT project to create “Delaware’s first pollinator mitigation site.” DelDOT and DNREC Fish and Wildlife provided staff and logistical support to the burning operation.

 

An aerial photo from a drone captures the burn edge on one of six unit blocks for the controlled fire. The Delaware Forest Service worked with DelDOT and DNREC Fish and Wildlife personnel during the operation, with a goal of creating an “early successional habitat” with native wildlfowers that support pollinators

 

 

(From left) The Delaware Forest Service’s James Dowd and Samual Topper go over the final burn plan for the controlled burn along U.S. 301 near Middletown on March 20. Favorable weather and cooperative support from DelDOT and DNREC Fish and Wildlife resulted in a successful burning operation.

 

The Delaware Forest Service’s Chris Miller lays down a wet line along the fire break on a controlled burn to create a native pollinator habitat along the new stretch of U.S. 301 near Middletown.

 

The Delaware Forest Service’s Garon Warner uses a drip torch to light the field edge during a controlled burn along U.S. 301 on Wednesday, March 20. The project was part of site preparation for Dove Nest, a project that DelDOT hopes will become “Delaware’s first pollinator mitigation site.”


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.


US 301 Project Takes Shape in Middletown

Construction of the new US 301 continues to proceed with the first of the seven project phases nearing completion ahead of schedule. The nearly 14 mile-long, $636 million project is divided into seven contracts that are being built concurrently.

The R.E. Pierson Construction Company is finishing work on their 1.8 mile segment (1C) of the US 301 Mainline Project. The $21,315,701.98 contract was awarded to R.E. Pierson on January 6, 2016, and construction on the 1C contract commenced on February 29, 2016.

“R.E. Pierson Construction is very proud of our section of the new 301 alignment. Thanks to the collective effort of our project team and the Department’s staff, we have offset any project delays to secure a timely completion,” said Ralph Farabaugh, Construction Manager for R.E. Pierson.

Through December 24, 2017, the contractor has experienced 183 days that work could not take place due to inclement weather. Despite these lost days, the project is 41 days ahead of the original contract completion date of May 5, 2018.

Governor John Carney stated, “With efforts underway such as the Port of Wilmington expansion, it is critical that freight traffic can move easily through the region, and the new US 301 will be a great asset as we look to grow businesses that are already here and attract new ones to invest and build in Delaware.”

“We are very happy with the work R.E. Pierson has done on this extremely important project for our state,” Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan said. “Opening the new US 301 by the end of 2018 is critical as toll revenues will pay the loans that have helped finance this project.”

This new 1.8 mile segment of concrete four lane roadway included 875,000 cubic yards of earth work, construction of a 140-foot single span bridge over Drawyer Creek, construction of a 190-foot 60 inch dual pipe culvert carrying a tributary to the Drawyer Creek, and the construction of a new bridge carrying the new US 301 over the Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Work is continuing to progress on the other six project sections:

Section 1A – Route 896 to State Route 1, by Tutor Perini.

Section 1B – U.S. Route 301 and SR 1 Interchange, by Tutor Perini.

Section 1D – Constructing the intersection at US 13 and Port Penn Road providing toll-free access to SR 1, by Diamond Materials.

Section 2A – U.S. Route 301, Levels Road to Summit Bridge Road, by Allen Meyers Contractors.

Section 2B – Rebuilding the intersection at Summit Bridge and Armstrong Corner roads, near Middletown, by A-Del Construction.

Section 3 – U.S. Route 301, Maryland State Line to Levels Road, by Greggo & Ferrara Inc.

Additionally, Greggo & Ferrara Inc. won the $7,958,310.00 contract to construct the toll infrastructure for the roadway which includes the gantry structures and equipment huts that will allow for automated tolling.

Ground was broken for the entire 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.


US 301 Mainline Project Will Require the Nighttime Closure of SR 1 NB Beginning Tuesday, November 28

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.


US 301 Mainline Project Will Require Nighttime Closure of SR 1 Beginning Saturday, November 18

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.