Infrastructure Investments in the Ninth District

Friends and neighbors,

Before 2021 is over, I want to give you an update on several job-creating transportation projects underway in the 9th Senate District thanks to the $1.35 billion Bond Bill passed by the Delaware General Assembly in June – the largest infrastructure improvement and jobs creation act in Delaware history.

Below is a list of just some of the major Delaware Department of Transportation projects occurring in the 9th Senate District.

Be sure to click on the blue links below for more information.

Sincerely,

Jack Walsh
Senator, District 9

9th District DelDOT Updates

BR 1-159 on James Street over Christina River

Project Description: Bridge replacement

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: 2022

Project Update: Mumford & Miller Concrete began construction on December 2, 2019. The contractor has installed erosion & sediment control devices, cleared the work area, and installed construction fencing. Several utilities will now relocate their facilities over a 10-month timeframe. Once the utilities are relocated, Mumford & Miller will construct the new bridge adjacent to the existing bridge. Two weekend closures of the road will be required during construction and will be coordinated with area businesses and the traveling public closer to that time.

New Castle County Transit Center

Project Description: Construct a new DART transit facility, including a park & ride, near the Christiana Mall. The project will include roadway connections from Center Boulevard to Churchmans Road. All new infrastructure will also provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: Concept design is underway.

Road A / Del. 7 Improvements

Project Description: Construct a new bridge adjacent to the existing Road A bridge to provide additional capacity between Center Boulevard and Del. 7.

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: Spring 2021

Project Update: The project is substantially complete

Del. 1 widening, Del. 273 to the Roth Bridge

Project Description: Identify and prioritize cost-effective short, mid- and long-term transportation infrastructure improvements along Del. 1 from the Roth Bridge to south of I-95 that will reduce congestion and travel times and improve safety, while minimizing environmental impacts.

Project Phase: Planning

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: Planning for the widening of Del. 1, including various interchange improvements, has been ongoing. A project of this magnitude takes many years of planning, environmental approvals, public outreach, design, and ultimately construction. Fortunately we have been able to implement several smaller scale upgrades while the larger project continues through the process. A virtual public workshop was held October 27, 2021, to present the recommended preferred alternative and updates to the noise study and other environmental efforts.

Del. 2 Capitol Trail at Darwin Drive Intersection Improvements

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: 2022

Project Update: The project is in design.

Rehabilitation of Bridges 1-242, 1-362, and 1-406

Project Description: Spray liner for bridge rehabilitation

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: Winter 2021/2022

Project Update: The project has been awarded to a contractor. Construction is anticipated to begin in December 2021.

Rehabilitation of Bridges 1-719, 1-720, 1-738, and 1-739 on I-95

Project Description: Bridge rehabilitations.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: The project is in design

Del. 2/Red Mill Road Intersection Improvements

Project Description: Provide safety and capacity improvements at the intersection.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: 2024

Project Update: Right-of-way acquisition is underway. Design is progressing. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022.

Del. 4/Harmony Road Intersection Improvements

Project Description: Improvements include adding turn lanes and geometric improvements; and pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: 2026

Project Update: Alternatives to be developed starting in 2021

Del. 273 and I-95 Interchange Improvement

Project Description: Relocate the I-95 southbound ramp to Del. 273 westbound and provide a signalized intersection to improve safety.

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: Summer 2022

Project Update: Construction began in March 2021. Phase 2A of the project, which limited westbound Del. 273 to one through lane, is now complete. Traffic has been switched to Phase 3, allowing for two through lanes on westbound Del. 273. The westbound Del. 273 ramp to southbound I-95 has also been re-opened. The northbound I-95 ramp to eastbound Del. 273 was re-opened to traffic prior to Thanksgiving 2021. See www.sr273-i95improvements.com for more information.

Del. 273 / Chapman Road Intersection Improvements

Project Description: This project includes widening the westbound Del. 273 ramp to northbound I-95 to include an additional lane. The two left turn lanes from northbound Chapman Road will be restriped to turn into the ramp lane and a choice lane. Along the I-95 ramp, the two lanes will merge together as a zipper merge.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: Winter 2022/2023

Project Update: Design is underway. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2022, following the construction of the current I-95/SR 273 construction project.

Delaware Avenue Separated Bikeway – Orchard Road to Library Avenue

Project Description: This project provides a two-way separated bicycle facility along Delaware Avenue between Orchard Road and Library Avenue that will accommodate both eastbound and westbound bicycle travel.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: Fall 2022

Project Update: Construction began November 29, 2021

Del. 4, Ogletown Stanton Road/Del. 7, Christiana Stanton Road Phase I, Stanton Split

Project Description: This project will address capacity issues at the Del. 4/Del. 7 Stanton Split intersection by adding turn lanes and other geometric improvements. The project will also include pedestrian and transit facility improvements.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: Traffic analysis and development of alternatives are currently being reviewed.