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.


DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announces temporary closure of Farm Lane Bridge

YORKLYN – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation has announced that the Farm Lane Bridge in Yorklyn will be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 19. The closure is necessary to prepare the bridge for future construction work.

For more information, please contact Laura Lee, park superintendent, Auburn Heights Preserve, at 302.729.4278.


Governor Carney Welcomes Firefly Music Festival to Delaware

DOVER, Del.Governor John Carney released the following statement on Thursday, noting the economic benefits of the four-day Firefly Music Festival at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway.

“Firefly brings tens of thousands of visitors to Delaware from every state and dozens of countries,” said Governor Carney. “Not only does the festival have an impressive annual economic impact on the state, it also provides the opportunity to leave visitors, many of them first-time, with a great impression of Delaware and a desire to explore its endless discoveries beyond The Woodlands. I’m pleased to welcome the artists, vendors and fans. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend.”

Visit Delaware invites festival attendees to stop by the beach volleyball courts in the Northeast Hub and experience fun statewide attractions during and after Firefly.

With the increase in visitors in and around Dover, residents and visitors are encouraged to use DelDOT’s Smartphone application for up-to-the-minute traffic conditions and to adjust their routes. The DelDOT App is available and can be downloaded free at the Google Play and App Store, search for “DelDOT.” WTMC 1380 AM is also available through the DelDOT App.

 

Download the free DelDOT app:

App Store: https://goo.gl/OucvFY
Google Play Store: https://goo.gl/dpHCMm

 

For more information, visit:

Firefly Music Festival’s website at www.fireflyfestival.com
Delaware Tourism’s website at www.visitdelaware.com
DelDOT’s website at www.deldot.gov
Dover International Speedway’s website at www.doverspeedway.com

###


DelDOT Welcomes Fans to the Firefly Music Festival

Dover — The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) welcomes fans to Firefly Music Festival, produced by Red Frog Events at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway in Dover. Four days of music will commence on Thursday, June 18 through Sunday, June 21.

Traffic Information
DelDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) staff in coordination with the City of Dover Police and Delaware State Police will monitor traffic in and around the Dover vicinity to ensure safe travel for motorists. Due to the number of patrons attending the festival, Leipsic Road and Persimmon Tree Lane in the vicinity of Dover International Speedway will be closed to through traffic beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 18 until Sunday evening, June 21. At the conclusion of the festival, all roads will be reopened.

Camping/RV processing will be located at Dover International Speedway (DIS) Lot 1 (Lot 1 is the largest DIS parking lot) located south of the speedway bordered by U.S. Route 13, Leipsic Road, and Plaza Drive. Traffic from the south will enter Lot 1 from U.S. Route 13 through Jefferic Boulevard, and from the north using Leipsic Road.

Campers/RVs from the north will use DE Route 1 to Exit 104 to U.S. Route 13 to a left turn at Leipsic Road. Should traffic conditions warrant, Exit 104 and Exit 98 from DE Route 1 will be closed, traffic will be directed to Exit 95 to Bay Road onto U.S. Route 13 North to Lot 1 via Jefferic Boulevard.

Traffic from the south will use northbound U.S. Route 13 to a right turn at Jefferic Boulevard into Lot 1 where separate camping/RV processing lanes will be established.

Once each vehicle is processed in Lot 1 they will exit at the east end of Lot 1 back to Leipsic Road to their assigned camping area.

Check in times for Camping are as follows:

  • Wednesday Premiere Tent/RV pass holders:
    Wednesday, June 17: 12 p.m.through 11:59 p.m.
    Thursday, June 18: 12 a.m.through 6 a.m.
  • All other camping pass holders:
    Thursday, June 18: 6 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.
    Friday, June 19: 12 a.m. through 9 p.m.
    Saturday, June 20: 6 a.m. through 4 p.m.
    Sunday, June 21: 6 a.m. through 12 p.m.

For festival patrons that are not camping on DIS property, daily parking is available in speedway parking lots. Daily parking lots are accessible from the Main Entrance to DIS from U.S. Route 13.

“Will Call” passes for Firefly will be processed at Delaware Technical Community College located in north Dover; access to Delaware Technical Community College will be via Scarborough Road. Firefly patrons are encouraged have their “will call” passes before being processed for camping.

Motorists can adjust their routes or travel times by using DelDOT’s Smartphone application. The DelDOT App is available and can be downloaded free at the Google Play and Apple store, search for “DelDOT”. WTMC 1380 AM is also available through the DelDOT App.

For real-time traffic information, visit DelDOT follow us on DelDOT Facebook; DelDOT Twitter; the DelDOT App for updated travel-related information, or tune to WTMC 1380 AM for up-to-the-minute traffic conditions.

Enjoy the festival!

For more information, visit the following websites:


DelDOT Preparing for Freezing Temperatures Tonight and Tomorrow

With temperatures expected to plummet below freezing after sunset today, DelDOT crews will be spending the afternoon applying salt to Delaware roads.

The goal is to have all of the normal salting routes treated before rush hour. In New Castle County, every primary, secondary and local road maintained by the state will be treated. In Kent and Sussex Counties, primary and secondary roads will be treated and on local roads the normal salting operations will be completed, including intersections and known trouble spots.

Crews will remain working into the evening hours until the roads dry. DelDOT crews will be inspecting road conditions into the early morning hours and treating problem areas as needed.

Motorists are asked to complete their trips, if possible, before 6 p.m. tonight as roads are expected to freeze by that point. Despite the best efforts of the DelDOT crews, there could still be icy spots on roads.

Motorists that encounter DelDOT trucks applying salt should stay at least 150 feet away from the back of the truck. Following too closely limits the distribution of salt on roads.