Project Update (This site last updated January 20, 2012)

As presented and discussed at the September, 2011 public workshop, one of the critical next steps for the US 301 project was to update the Construction Financial Plan and, if acceptable, present it to the Governor by the end of 2011. Secretary of Transportation Shailen Bhatt reviewed all of the necessary information and on December 20, 2011 he sent a letter to the local state legislators updating them on the US 301 project, specifically the financial plan. In his letter, Secretary Bhatt reaffirmed the need to build US 301 to "improve public safety and importantly provide critical transportation infrastructure in one of the state's largest growth areas." Additionally, new US 301 "will create jobs, help grow our economy and maintain our quality of life." Secretary Bhatt also noted in his letter that although traffic volume estimates have been reduced, construction and land acquisition costs are significantly lower than previously projected. Secretary Bhatt therefore has decided that there is a need for "greater clarity on both projected revenues and costs before we will be in a position to present a detailed plan for financing" the new US 301. Secretary Bhatt has asked for a review of recent traffic projections and additional information about the projected number of trucks and cars that are expected to shift from I-95 to US 301. Secretary Bhatt stated "I have made this decision because I believe the additional review will provide a more precise understanding of these projections, which will result in better financial planning, as well as enhanced public confidence in the resulting plan to finance this important road. Once we have received and evaluated the additional information, we will be in a better position to present for your consideration a well-thought-out plan of financing to make this project a reality."

Recent Project History

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) conducted a public workshop for the US 301 Project Development initiative on September 6, 2011, between the hours of 3:00 and 8:00 PM at the Middletown Volunteer Fire Company in Middletown, Delaware (postponed from August 31, 2011 due to inclement weather.) The purpose of the public workshop was to update the public on the overall project activities since the March 2009 workshop, present materials for review, and provide citizens with an opportunity to comment upon the current design refinements proposed for the new US 301.

The workshop provided large table-top 100-scale roll maps showing the current design for each Design Section. In addition, detailed design plans were available: final or semi-final plans for sections of the US 301 Mainline and preliminary plans for the US 301 Spur Road. Among the design updates and additional design refinements proposed since the March 23, 2009 workshop were:

• The need to close Hyetts Corner Road during construction
• Consolidation of the US 31/Port Penn Road/Toll-Free Ramp Intersection
• Improvements to Summit Bridge Road and Armstrong Corner Road to accommodate the new US 301/existing US 301 (Summit Bridge Road) Interchange
• Churchtown Road Overpass of the Spur Road/Tidewater Utilities Access/Maintenance of Traffic during construction
• Emergency Access Needs and proposed ramps and crossovers

Other topics presented for review were updates on mitigation, cultural resources archeology, the real estate acquisition process, funding concepts, traffic trends and toll considerations.

In addition to numerous display boards, a PowerPoint presentation was made at 3:15, 4:15, 5:15, 6:15 and 7:15. The presentations provided an orientation to the workshop and an explanation of what was being presented and where that information could be located in the display hall. Each workshop attendee was provided a project update summary and layout of the display room and a comment form. Included among the displays were large displays of the design concepts for each Design Section. Members of the US 301 Project Team were on hand to provide answers and guide citizens through the information presented.

About 200 people attended the workshop. Comments were provided at the workshop and through the end of the comment period, which ended on September 30, 2011. The public had the opportunity to comment by submitting written comments at the workshop or by fax, email, mail or online using the US 301 website, www.us301.deldot.gov.

With the September, 2011 workshop concluded, the Project Team’s next steps will focus on completing construction contract documents for the mainline sections of US 301, developing detailed design plans for the SR 896/Bethel Church Road Interchange (fix the sharp curve and remove the traffic signal south of Summit Bridge), preparing semi-final design plans for the Spur Road, identifying and acquiring necessary right-of-way for the US 301 Mainline and developing a financial plan to fund the construction of the US 301 Mainline.

It continues to be important to preserve the US 301 corridor to meet the current and future transportation needs of this important growth area. The goal is to be in a position to move forward with construction when key factors (traffic, revenues, costs and market conditions) result in an acceptable Construction Plan of Finance to sell Toll Revenue Bonds that minimize risk to the State and the Transportation Trust Fund.

New US 301 will support a significant amount of growth and economic development in southern New Castle County and lead to thousands of permanent and temporary construction related jobs. Southern New Castle County is projected to be one of the fastest growing areas within the state of Delaware with 87% of the county's projected population growth expected to take place in the southern part of the county.

Section 1: US 301, East of Norfolk Southern Railroad to SR 1, South of the C & D Canal

Section 1 of new US 301 will be a tolled controlled access highway with two lanes in each direction and an interchange at Jamison Corner Road. Learn more about Section 1.

Section 2: US 301, Levels Road Extended to east of Norfolk Southern Railroad

Section 2 of new US 301 will be a tolled controlled access highway with two lanes in each direction and an interchange with Summit Bridge Road, north of Armstrong Corner Road. Additionally, Section 2 includes improvements to the Summit Bridge Road/Armstrong Corner Road Intersection to accommodate the interchange with new US 301. Finally, new US 301 will connect with the Spur Road through north-serving ramps to and from the Spur Road. Learn more about Section 2.

Section 3: US 301, South of the Maryland/Delaware Line to Levels Road Extended

Section 3 of new US 301 will be a tolled controlled access highway with two lanes in each direction and an interchange at Levels Road/Warwick Road. Learn more about Section 3.

Section 4A: SR 896/Bethel Church Road Interchange

Section 4A will improve the sharp curve and remove the traffic signal on SR 896 south of Summit Bridge and provide a direct connection between SR 896 and Bethel Church Road. Learn more about Section 4A.

Section 4B & 4C: Spur Road, US 301 to SR 896/Bethel Church Road Interchange

Sections 4B and 4C of US 301 Spur Road will be a tolled controlled access highway with one lane in each direction and north serving ramps to and from US 301 and SR 896. Learn more about Section 4B & 4C.

US 301 Design Sections