Dover – Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt, other dignitaries, and members of the media gathered this afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Smyrna-Clayton American Legion Ambulance Station # 64, to celebrate the completion of the Carter Road-Sunnyside Road to Wheatleys Pond Road Project.

“Carter Road was once a narrow roadway with no shoulders and minimal pedestrian facilities,” said Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt. “But the many improvements will greatly accommodate both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. While many of our projects benefit interstate traffic, I am pleased to say this is a project for Delawareans. More specifically, this will benefit the people of Smyrna economically, and by enhancing their safety and improving their quality of living.”

“Not only is this a project for Delawareans, it is a project by Delawareans, “Governor Markell added. “All of the contractors involved with this project are either Delaware based or have a local office within Delaware. In addition, this project helps implement, supports, and advances the town’s  comprehensive plan where they plan to expand both housing and employment by making it safe for pedestrians and bicyclists, while increasing capacity for the additional cars that come with more houses and jobs.”

Beginning in August 2012, the rehabilitation work for this $4 million project was performed by A-Del Construction Company of Newark. Utilizing both Federal (80 percent) and State (20 percent) funding, improvements included widening of Carter Road to two eleven-foot travel lanes; two five-foot shoulders; installation of curbs, sidewalk for pedestrians; drainage system for storm water; relocation of utility poles; street lighting; and a new signal at the Sunnyside Road intersection.

Speakers included Governor Jack Markell, Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt, State Representative William Carson, Smyrna Mayor Joanne Masten, and President 1st Levy Court District, P. Brooks Banta.

Photos of the event can be found on Flickr.

Every year OHS supports the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety’s yearly traffic safety campaign, Drive Safely to Work Week. This year, join us in getting Back to Basics. Simply put, it means focusing on driving the car instead of multi-tasking.  Remember when you were a young driver, and it took all of your senses to drive:  both hands on the wheel, both eyes on the road, mind completely on the task of driving? NETS would like us to remember experience does not necessarily make a better driver.

What you need to know

Many employees commute in the first state.  The average commute time for Delawareans is 24.3 minutes, which is nearly 50 minutes on the road each work day.  Here are some interesting facts that you should know:

• 900,000 people live in the state of Delaware; of those, 653,141 are licensed drivers.
• On average, 80% of workers who commute drive alone.
• In 2011, there were 5,204 personal injury crashes and 97 fatal crashes.
• In the same year, 1 out of every 25 licensed drivers was involved in a traffic crash.

What you can do

Since the average person spends a significant amount of time driving to and from work, NETS would like to remind each of us to remember the keys of safe driving:

• Always buckle up. It only takes a few seconds to do the one thing that will keep you safest in the event of a crash.
• Drive with a clear head. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving.
• Avoid distractions. Distractions come in many forms, eliminate as many of them as possible.
• Know the basics of parking and backing. Many crashes can be avoided by simply by being aware of blind spots.
• Review the fundamentals. Go back to the basics of safe driving, including:  mirror placement, scanning the environment around your vehicle, and signaling your intentions.

For more information on DSWW and to get a free information kit, go to www.trafficsafety.org.

Drive Safe.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message is brought to you by the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov.

Funded by American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

WILMINGTON – At a ceremony today, Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Secretary Shailen Bhatt announced the completion of the Market Street Safety Improvement project. The two year project which began in September 2010, was completed on time and within the budgeted amount of $4,430,089, by Mumford and Miller Concrete of Middletown. It was fully funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). In addition to Secretary Bhatt, speakers included Governor Jack Markell, U.S. Senators Thomas Carper and Christopher Coons, a representative from U.S. Congressman Carney’s office, Wilmington Mayor James Baker and ShopRite owner Chris Kenny.

“This road improvement project, funded with federal dollars through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will not only make driving in and out of Wilmington safer for the thousands of motorists who use this road each day, but it will also support much needed construction jobs and increase the economic viability of this section of Wilmington,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. “Improving our country’s infrastructure by bringing the existing system to a state of good repair and by creating a more advanced system that better meets today’s needs improves public safety, facilitates economic commerce, and serves a good public purpose. This is what the Recovery Act was all about.”

The major component of the project was to elevate Market Street out of the floodplain. Other improvements included the undergrounding of utilities, landscaping with street trees, sidewalks and lighting, providing for a pedestrian-friendly environment, and better connections to adjacent neighborhoods. A new bus shelter and stop has been added to serve the public at the adjacent Christina Crossing Shopping Center. Another benefit to the 16,000 motorists that use this stretch of Market Street on a daily basis is raising of the roadway allows the continued flow of traffic during most rain events. In the past, the flooded roadway caused traffic flow to stop, creating a safety hazard to the travelling public.

“This construction put people to work rebuilding the area and will help people get to work for years to come,” Governor Jack Markell said. “The work shows the value of cooperation, including federal help to make a local difference in our state’s largest city.”

DelDOT Secretary Bhatt stated, “This project is what the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is all about; putting Delawareans to work, while stimulating growth, fostering the local economy, and addressing the transportation needs of the City of Wilmington and the State of Delaware. This project not only elevated the roadway out of the ten-year floodplain, it also improved the general surroundings by relocating utilities underground, eliminating the utility poles and wiring, added curbing, sidewalks and landscaping. Therefore, not only have we reduced the impact flooding has on residents and businesses, we have transformed this major artery exiting Wilmington into a more welcoming environment for business growth and created better access to pedestrian and transit facilities.”

The improvements will also help support economic development opportunities for the City and State on the east bank of the Christina River. Wilmington Mayor James M. Baker added, “The raising of the road bed along South Market Street is important for a variety of reasons, but especially because of what it means for the future orderly and organized development of this area of the City. The formerly depressed roadway was emblematic of the flooding concerns that have hindered meaningful development of the South Market Street area for many years. We are very grateful for the assistance on this project from the Governor and DelDOT, and we take this time to express our appreciation for the countless other projects for which the State has helped Wilmington to grow and prosper.”

The Market Street Safety Improvement project is one of the final DelDOT projects to be completed from the original ARRA-funded projects.

Details and updates regarding the project can be found on DelDOT’s I-95 Web site, i95.deldot.gov, which offers a one stop shop of information concerning all projects along the I-95 Corridor in Delaware.

First passengers include Gov. Markell, Sen. Carper, Sec. Bhatt;
All lanes to be open in spring

Indian River (January 20, 2012) – The Indian River Inlet Bridge is open to passenger traffic.

In an event commemorating the historic opening of the gleaming-new structure, Governor Jack Markell, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Secretary Shailen Bhatt drove the first passenger vehicle over the bridge.

Effective today, one lane of southbound traffic will be open.  In the next several days, one northbound lane will be open to vehicular traffic.  Demolition work will then begin on the old bridge.  In the coming months, Delaware contractor George & Lynch will complete the roadway approaches on the remaining two lanes on the northbound side of the bridge in preparation for a spring 2012 opening for all four lanes and the pedestrian and bikeway.

“Bridges are about connecting people and commerce,” said Governor Jack Markell.  “We depend on bridges to help us get from one place to another.  This new bridge helps move goods and services, Delawareans and visitors.   It’s one of the most important bridges in our state and a vital link for people driving to vacation destinations, businesses and jobs along the coast.”

The $150 million bridge was erected by Skanska Southeast under a design-build contract with DelDOT. Sixty Delaware business have been suppliers to the project. The bridge is 2,600 feet long, 108 feet wide and situated 45 feet above the inlet.

“This long-awaited day marks the opening of the Indian River Inlet Bridge connecting Sussex County communities along the coast,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) “The bridge will welcome visitors to the southern beach resorts and ensure local residents can continue to get to work, school and to the hospital. This state and federally funded infrastructure project will ensure safe travel for now and into the next century. ”

“For DelDOT, this milestone is more than just a big day,” said Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt.  “It is a time when we can reflect on the virtues and rewards of teamwork.  This project is just one example of the great things DelDOT is doing and will continue to do as we keep working toward a world-class multi-modal transportation system for the people of Delaware.”

Additional information is available on DelDOT’s website at www.DelDOT.gov or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DelawareDOT and Twitter at www.twitter.com/DelawareDOT.

(LEWES) – Today, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation Shailen Bhatt and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara released a list of proposed statewide trails and pathways and signed a Memorandum of Agreement to develop and execute the Governor’s vision, “First State Trails and Pathways Plan.” Yesterday, the Governor announced his ideas for a proposed network of trails and pathways to expand non-motorized travel and recreational opportunities in Delaware.

Before biking advocates, elected officials and community leaders at the Delaware Bike Summit at the University of Delaware’s Virden Center in Lewes, the Cabinet Secretaries detailed a full list of nineteen (19) possible projects for public consideration in each of Delaware’s three counties.

New Castle County Proposed Projects

• Northern Delaware Greenway Trail – Upgrade trail surfaces in Alapocas Run State Park; complete gaps along Talley Road and from Brandywine Zoo to N. Market Street.
• Newark to Wilmington Pathway – Proposed to link the two cities.
• White Clay Creek State Park – Upgrade trail surfaces; complete link along Hopkins Bridge Road between the Pomeroy Trail and Creek Road Trail; and begin design/engineering of the Tri-Valley Trail that will link ultimately link the City Newark to Paper Mill County Park through White Clay Creek State Park.
• Auburn Heights Preserve – Complete shared use trails within the newly developing State Preserve to Hockessin.
• New Castle Industrial Track Trail – Complete the final trail segment with a bike/pedestrian bridge over the Christina River to the walkway at the Wilmington Riverfront.
• East Coast Greenway Trail – Frenchtown Road, US 13 to Ferry Cutoff, New Castle. Construct a patch on north side of Route 273, between Route 13 and Ferry Cutoff and additional segments.
• Lums Pond State Park – Upgrade and enhance existing trails; create a shared-use pathway along Buck Jersey Road (inside the park) from the Park entrance to Route 71.
• Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Trail – Construct a 9 mile trail from Delaware City to Lums Pond State Park.

Kent County Proposed Projects

• Dover to Clayton Rail Pathway – Connect the existing Scarborough Road shared-use pathway at Delaware Technical and Community College  in Dover with the town of Clayton along an existing rail right-of-way.
• Capital Bikeway – Extend the existing 0.7 mile bicycle/pedestrian pathway through Dover to the St. Jones River Trail. This project extends the existing 1.5 mile pathway that lies between Schutte Park and West Street.

• Isaac Branch Trail – Make improvements such as a installing a pedestrian bridge, widen sidewalks and upgrade traffic signals.
• St. Jones River Trail – Extend and complete connections. This work will be in partnership with Dover Air Force Base.
• Killens Pond State Park – Complete a trail gap along Killens Pond Road, linking the northern and southern Park sections.

Sussex County Proposed Projects

• Georgetown to Lewes to Cape Henlopen State Park – Construct a regional rail-to-trail project with an initial trail segment in Lewes.
• Junction and Breakwater Trail – Extend trail from Gills Neck Road toward Lewes and make trail upgrades along Gills Neck Road to Route 9.
• Cape Henlopen State Park – Extend the Gordons Pond Trail from the observation platform north to Herring Point.  This will link the northern and southern portions of Park.
• Assawoman Canal Trail – Design and construct approximately 1 mile of recreational trail along the Assawoman Canal in partnership with the towns of Ocean View, Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach.
• Fred Hudson Road –Create a link between area business and fresh pond area of Delaware Seashore State Park
• Trap Pond State Parks – Complete the Loblolly Trail along Wootten Road filling a trail gap.

See maps of proposed trails and pathways in New Castle County, Kent County, Sussex County.

During his speech at the Bike Summit, DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt  added more specifics to the Governor’s announcement on Thursday and asked for input and participation from cycling advocates and other community leaders as the plan develops further.  Urging the state’s bicycling community to partner with his agency as well as DNREC in the effort, Bhatt said, “Starting today, let’s all get to work on the goal that Governor Markell has outlined. Let us agree that our legacy will be to make Delaware the most bike-friendly state in the country.”

Also during the Summit, DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara said, “Under Governor Markell’s leadership, Delaware has the potential to create a world class network of interconnected trails. By making strategic investments and adopting innovative public policies, we will connect our communities and make them truly bikeable and walkable.”

Bike Delaware Executive Director James Wilson noted that Governor Markell’s vision is also shared by Delaware’s legislators in both parties. “In May, the General Assembly unanimously declared that walking and bicycling are both cost-effective and healthy transportation options,” Wilson said. “Making those activities safer and more convenient will help families save money, improve public health, increase tourism, give a boost to economic development, reduce congestion, lower emissions, provide recreational opportunities and improve quality of life for Delawareans. What other transportation projects in Delaware have such an enormous and multifaceted return on public investment?”

Mark Chura, Executive Director of Delaware Greenways, noted that “today’s announcement by Governor Markell not only ties together and strengthens longstanding efforts to build a first class bicycle and pedestrian network throughout Delaware, but takes it to a whole new level.  Interconnecting our towns with their outlying suburbs and close to home recreational areas benefits us all and is a great investment in Delaware’s future.”  Chura went on to say, “We have some amazing places here in Delaware that, to most of us, are only accessible by car or not at all. The Governor’s initiative will change all that, while at the same time providing new options get out of doors and improve our health.”

The MOA signed today outlines the parameters by which the trails and pathways will be considered, including the creation of an inter-departmental team to develop and recommend a set of activities for Fiscal Year 2012 and the subsequent four fiscal years.   DelDOT and DNREC will consult with the Bicycle Council, the Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Council on Greenways and Trails with regard to the prioritization and propose a  list of projects to the Governor for consideration for funding.  Public workshops will be held with property owners, community groups and other affected stakeholders to seek input into the placement, cost and maintenance of the trail systems.   The proposed projects are supported by a $7 million appropriation from the FY 2012 Bond Bill , funding that will maximize the state’s ability to leverage federal and private dollars over time.

The Governor’s long term vision for bicycling, trails and pathways in Delaware includes:

• Build a world class interconnected pathway network
• Support creation of local jobs
• Link communities internally to support local sustainable economies, and externally to grow connections between neighborhoods, towns and cities
• Develop sustainable practices in the creation of the network, such as supporting native landscaping and natural habitats
• Support health communities by providing affordable, active transportation choices
• Re-establish Delaware in the Top Ten of Bicycle Friendly states  (we’re at #17 right now)
• And, develop strategies for the ongoing maintenance and upgrades of existing facilities

“My goal is to make Delaware walkable and bikeable, so more of us can enjoy the great Delaware outdoors,” said Governor Markell.  “We can create a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails by building on existing pathways and trails.  We create jobs and connect communities across the state and at the same time, expand recreational and transportation opportunities for Delawareans and visitors.”

For more details on the proposed trails, and for links to video of Sec. Bhatt’s speech, please visit www.deldot.gov

Visit www.destateparks.com/FirstStateTrails for a copy of the proposed “First State in Trails”  priority project list.

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The Delaware Bike Summit is an annual event designed to bring together bicycling advocates, community leaders and elected officials to hear from national speakers and to create strategies on how to make Delaware more bicycle friendly. Today’s event, held at the Virden Center in Lewes is the third summit. The event is organized by the Delaware Bicycle Council, and a committee made up of members from Wilmington Area Planning Council DelDOT, Bike Delaware, Dover/Kent Metropolitan Planning Organization, White Clay Bicycle Club and Sussex Cyclists.