Project Need

Need for this project is founded in an existing roadway system that lacks capacity for current and future traffic volumes and that has had sections appear almost yearly on DelDOT's list of High Accident locations. Earlier studies, indicated below, also identified the lack of capacity and safety concerns on the existing roadway system in the project area. Considerable long-haul truck traffic that mixes with increasing automobile traffic in the project area and growth in population, employment and dwelling units has only added to the need to provide additional roadway capacity in the project area. This increased growth, without additional roadway capacity, places more vehicles on the same roadways every day, increasing the volume of vehicles and also increasing the potential for accidents to occur.

The 3 key components that the US 301 Project is addressing are managing truck traffic, improving safety and reducing roadway congestion.

Project Background

The US 301 Project Development effort began in early 2005. A comprehensive public outreach and involvement program has been an integral element of this project, from the beginning. The Department started by developing a Project Purpose and Need document and a Potential Range of Alternatives that were presented to the public at workshops on June 20 and 21, 2005. Over 800 people attended these workshops and over 450 comments were received. During July and August, community meetings were held with a number of communities impacted by the Potential Range of Alternatives.

Public workshops were subsequently held on September 12, 13 and 19, 2005 at which the Range of Alternatives was presented. Approximately 1,100 people attended these workshops and over 1,050 comments were received.

On December 5, 6 and 7, 2005, the Department conducted public workshops at which the Recommended Alternatives Retained for Detailed Study (ARDS) were presented. The five ARDS included the Yellow Alternative, the Brown Alternative, the Green + Spur Alternative, the Purple + Spur Alternative, and the No Build Alternative. The Green and Purple Alternatives included a Spur Road to the Summit Bridge to accommodate the traffic with an origin or destination north of the Summit Bridge. Additionally, both the Brown and Green Alternatives had both a north and a south option. Over 525 people attended the workshops and over 500 comments were received. During January and February, 2006, community meetings were held with a number of communities affected by the ARDS. The Spur Road was presented at these community meetings and specific questions about the Spur Road were asked by those affected communities.

On February 22 and 23, 2006, the DelDOT conducted public workshops at which the ARDS (including the Green North + Spur) and issues from the December, 2005 workshops were presented. One of the specific issues presented at the February, 2006 workshops was “What is the purpose and need for the Spur Road?” Approximately 400 people attended these workshops and approximately 50 comments were received.

On April 10 and 11, 2006, the DelDOT conducted public workshops at which the Refined ARDS (including the Green North + Spur) were presented. Approximately 350 people attended these workshops and approximately 150 comments were received.

On January 8 and 9, 2007, the DelDOT conducted public workshops/hearings at which the Recommended Preferred Alternative (Green North + Spur) and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement were presented. Approximately 450 people attended these workshops, approximately 45 people provided oral testimony, and 120 comments were received.

In May 2007, the DelDOT announced the selection of the Preferred Alternative for the US 301 Project, Green North + Spur Road.

In November 2007, the Final Environmental Impact Statement was circulated, with the Green North + Spur Road indicated as the Preferred Alternative.

On April 30, 2008, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the Record of Decision (ROD) for the US 301 Project and the Selected Alternative, Green North + Spur Road. This is the final FHWA approval of the selected alternative and is necessary in order to secure FHWA authorization to begin final design (preparation of construction contract/bidding documents) and the acquisition of right-of-way.

In June 2008, FHWA authorized right-of-way acquisition for the US 301 Project Selected Alternative, Green North + Spur Road.

In June 2008, the General Assembly provided the Department with the following Bond Bill Epilogue Language:

"The General Assembly directs the Department to implement the US 301 Corridor project in Phases, beginning with the US 301 mainline section. Before expending funds for the final design and construction of the Spur Road segment of the project, the Department will convene public workshops on the Spur Road segment. At the workshops, the Department will present information and alternatives for the Spur Road, including the upgrading of the existing US 301. The most current traffic data available at that time shall be presented to the public at the workshops. The Department shall report to the General Assembly on the comments received at the public workshops and make recommendations on how to proceed with this segment of the project no later than May 1, 2009."