DOVER (Oct. 26, 2012) – All Delaware State Parks and DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife facilities – including state wildlife areas – will close at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28 in anticipation of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy’s projected path through and impact on the Mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware.

Division of Fish & Wildlife closures include duck blinds that are located in the wildlife areas. All wildlife areas, state boat ramps and fishing access areas will be closed until further notice.

Delaware State Parks likewise will be closed until further notice. Additionally, all Delaware State Parks campgrounds, cabins and cottages will close at 1 p.m. Sunday, the normal checkout time, and they too will remain shut until further notice. Anyone who had made reservations at the campgrounds, cabins or cottages for Sunday and beyond will receive refunds due to the storm-related closure, and will have been notified in advance by Parks’ reservation system.

Vol. 42, No. 421

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Across Delaware, crews are working to minimize any possible traffic hazards if the storm strikes the area.

Dover — The men and women of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) are spending today doing all they can to prepare for the possibility of a major storm striking Delaware, and many will be working over the weekend to ensure the state’s transportation system is as secure as possible.

Below are bullet points detailing their efforts:

DelDOT storm preparation activities

• Maintenance crews are clearing storm drains of brush and debris along major roads that are prone to flooding.
• Construction crews have begun removing un-needed equipment that could become a problem during the storm. This includes traffic cones and barrels. They are doing this to eliminate any possible hazards resulting from high winds.
• In Sussex County near the beaches, crews and contractors are removing a number of overhead signs (a list of those locations is below).
• Crews are also securing temporary traffic signs at construction locations, so these will resist being blown over by wind.
• DelDOT has contacted officials with the state Democratic and Republican parties to request that candidates do what they can to remove political signs along state roadways prior to the arrival of the storm; especially large signs that may become airborne.
• If wind speeds reach a sustained 40 mph, DeDOT will begin pulling its forces off state roads. If winds reach a sustained 50 mph, DelDOT will begin closing major bridges throughout the state.

Construction projects this weekend

• Work on the Route 1/I-95 interchange will proceed as planned this evening, but will be suspended tomorrow morning.
• Repaving work on some lanes on I-95 will proceed tonight as planned.
• The planned closing of I-95 at the the Route 202 will not take place this weekend as previously announced. The work will be rescheduled for a future weekend.
• Other than in special circumstances, such as the previously described work on I-95 and RT 1, DelDOT contractors typically don’t work during the weekends.

DART and Paratransit

• DART First State operates in all three counties in Delaware, and is preparing for a possible storm event for next week. A special management personnel matrix has been developed to insure adequate staff coverage.
• Paratransit customers are urged to stay tuned to weather reports and be prepared for service interruptions should weather conditions deteriorate.
• If a State of Emergency is declared, fixed route and paratransit service will be suspended. However, if such a declaration occurs mid-day, DART will continue to operate as long as safe road conditions and resources permit. In the event of any service interruption, DART will issue Rider Alerts to riders who subscribe to the service, and to the media.
• DART Operations employees are considered essential personnel and DART maintains a list of operators who can be readily available for extra duty.
• Customers should stay tuned to Rider Alerts, DART’s website and local media for further updates

Bridge Safety

• DelDOT’s bridge staff is gearing up for inspection operations throughout the state. Both DelDOT and DNREC are lowering water levels at various dams to reduce the threat of flood waters.

Indian River Inlet Bridge and Route 1 at the beach

• Beach and dune erosion remains an ongoing concern for Route 1 throughout the inlet area. However, the new approach roads to the Indian River Inlet Bridge are approximately 100 feet further west than the approaches to the old bridge.
• Due to probable flooding and / or high winds, it is likely that Route 1 from Dewey to Bethany Beach, including the Indian River Inlet River Bridge, will be closed at some point during the storm.

Tolls

• All state toll roads are operating as usual and there are no plans to waive tolls at this time.

Closures after the storm

• Once the storm is over, some roads and bridges may remain closed due to concern for their safety. The public is instructed not to remove DelDOT barricades on any roads and bridges, even if flood water subsides. These closures are necessary because they must be inspected and possibly repaired prior to reopening.

List of overhead signs being removed in Sussex County:

As a precautionary measure, DelDOT crews and contractors are removing 12 large, span-wire overhead signs in Sussex County.

• This work is scheduled to start Saturday morning and continue throughout the day until all of the identified large signs have been removed.
• The span wires and flashing lights will remain in place.
• In most cases, only the right shoulders will require lane closures that will last 30 minutes or less per sign.
• While we understand that there are multiple overhead span wire signs, these were deemed the most critical as they are located along the state’s coast line and are the largest in nature:
  • Milford – Route 1 & Argos Corner -southbound and northbound lanes
  • Milton – Route 1 & SR 5 (Milton -southbound and northbound lanes
  • Route 1 & Nassau Park Road (north of Five Points) -southbound and northbound lanes
  • Route 1 & Shady Road (Rehoboth) – southbound and northbound lanes
  • Route 1 & Rehoboth Ave. – Fire Signs southbound and northbound lanes
  • Route 1 & South Rehoboth Avenue – Overhead Guide Signs-southbound only
  • Route 1 & South Rehoboth Avenue – Overhead Guide Signs-southbound only

The people and equipment of DelDOT are getting ready

Dover – As Hurricane Sandy moves along the East Coast of the United States, senior officials from the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) are monitoring the reports from the National Weather Service, and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. They have instructed DelDOT crews to begin preparations in case the storm impacts our state.

Across Delaware, crews are making sure equipment is available and ready for service, and most importantly, making sure that personnel are ready for the possibility of working for an extended period.

DelDOT urges people who live in areas prone to flooding to take precautions too. Thought should be given to possible evacuation, and assembling necessary supplies. Staying off the roads during the storm will help DelDOT crews do their jobs.

“At DelDOT, we always plan for the worst, and hope for the best,” said DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt. “Today, we’re asking residents to please start making plans as well.”

For more information, contact DelDOT Public Relations. 800.652.5600, 302.760.2080, or email: dot-pr@delaware.gov

TS/Hurricane Sandy Expected to Hit Delaware

This weekend the Delaware National Guard will be tracking Hurricane Sandy and planning to support the citizens of Delaware should the storm impact our state.

Typical support is evacuation, shelter, medical support and controlling access to evacuated neighborhoods and homes.

“Homeland Defense and support during natural and man-made disasters are core competencies of the National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard.  “We are leaning forward to help protect the lives and property of the citizens of Delaware.”

For the past few days the Delaware National Guard has been coordinating with the Governor’s office, Delaware Emergency Management Agency and first responders from each county in the state.

Starting this weekend, the Delaware Guard’s joint operations center will be manned 24/7. This will allow coordination of a surge of personnel and equipment if needed later in the week.

The Delaware National Guard will continue to participate in daily “bridge” calls with the state to monitor the situation. Manpower and equipment will be prepositioned as needed and support coordinated through the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

In the past, the Delaware National Guard has used military vehicles to evacuate Delawareans to safety and worked with the Red Cross to set up shelters for those in need. The Guard also is able to provide potable water in times of emergency.

“We have ample vehicles, equipment and troops to help protect our citizens,” said Vavala. “But, should something catastrophic occur, we also have access to resources from other National Guards through the Emergency Management Agency Compact. Further, should another state need our help, we are able to send Delawareans to other states to assist,” he explained.

For more information contact Sgt. Wendy McDougall at 302-326-7194 or Lt. Col. Len Gratteri at 302-540-0134.

As Delaware braces for hurricane Sandy to arrive next week, Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart has decided to reschedule the public information sessions regarding the rate increase proposed by the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB). The information sessions will be conducted on November 13, 2012 and the locations and times are listed below.

The Public Information Session will be held on:

Tuesday, November 13-4:00 pm-6:00pm
Delaware Department of Insurance
841 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904

Tuesday, November 13-7:00 pm-9:00pm
Delaware Technical & Community College – OWENS CAMPUS
William Carter Partnership Center
Lecture Hall – Room 529
Georgetown, DE 19947

For any additional information related to the information sessions, please contact the Delaware Department of Insurance at 302-674-7300 or visit the department website at www.delawareinsurance.gov.