Public workshop set for $2B worth of proposed transportation projects

Newark, DE – The Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO) is seeking public comment on nearly two billion dollars worth of transportation projects for the region during a public workshop Monday from 4-6 pm.

The meeting will give the public a chance to review and comment on proposed amendments to WILMAPCO’s approved FY 2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The TIP is the list of transportation projects proposed for funding for New Castle and Cecil Counties.

The approved New Castle County and Delaware statewide portions of TIP are amended each year to reflect available funding in the Delaware Bond Bill.

The workshop, hosted by WILMAPCO and DelDOT, is being held at the Newark Free Library, 750 Library Avenue in Newark.  The workshop will be an open house format and attendees may stop by anytime between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. WILMAPCO and DelDOT staff will be on hand to discuss projects and answer questions.

The proposed TIP contains almost 25% more funding than the previously approved TIP in March 2015. The following projects are proposed to have funding added or restored:

• Wilmington streets at East 12th St./Northeast Blvd., 4th St.: Walnut St.-I-95,Walnut St.: Front Street-4th St., and King and Orange St.: MLK Blvd-13th St.

• Lorewood Grove Road: Rd 412A-SR 1
• Possum Park Road/Old Possum Park Road
• US 13: Duck Creek-SR 1
• US 40: Salem Church Road-Walther Road
• MD 222 Bridge over Rock Run
• Rail improvements at Claymont and Fairplay Stations
• Pedestrian improvements on US 13: US40 to Memorial Drive
• BR 238 on Elizabeth Ct. and BR 239 on Red Mill Rd. over Tributary to White Clay Creek
• I-95 & SR 896 Interchange
• SR 1 Northbound Auxiliary Lane, US 40-SR 273
• SR 72/SR 1 Diverging Diamond Interchange
• SR 896 &  Bethel Church Rd Interchange
• Tweeds Mill Parking Structure Repairs

Increased DMV fees, borrowing, overweight vehicle fees and shifting some DelDOT operating costs to the general fund is resulting in approximately $55 million more a year for transportation investments throughout Delaware. The TIP public comment period will extend through September 10.  For more information, please visit www.wilmapco.org/tip.