Delaware takes big strides in improving transportation infrastructure

Millions of dollars are being invested in Wilmington and throughout the state to make transportation easier for those who live and often travel on area roads and bridges say Delaware officials.

Governor John Carney and Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki gave a state of the state’s transportation status report alongside Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan on Friday. Officials displayed pictures including a simulation video of the projects at the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Train Station in Wilmington.

“We are making major infrastructure improvements throughout the state, spending more than $780 million this year alone,” said Cohan.

One project includes the Christina River Bridge on the Wilmington Riverfront totaling $28-million. According to the mayor, it will ease traffic by creating another route for people to travel to and from the Riverfront.

“Nobody is going to come here and invest money unless someone sees that the infrastructure to grow is there, said Purzycki. “Our friends at DelDot recognize the importance of the bridge across the Christina that will join both sides of the river and open up literally 80 acres of development across the river and being used in a way that nobody could have foreseen when we first got here.”

Another project will take place across from the Biden Train Station. Officials also announced that a $20 million Public Private Initiative for the Wilmington Transit Center, will create a new and improved transportation hub for the city.

Other highlighted projects showcased by DelDot include $12 million in pedestrian and transit improvements on Fourth and Union Streets as well as Walnut Street.

“This will help us as a city and as a state compete every day and we have to be ready to compete whether it’s for a project like Amazon or other proposals and potential business partners that we recruit to our state every day, said Gov. Carney.

Amazon is currently shopping for a place to build its second headquarters. Several cities have put in bids and Delaware will too.

“We’re not there yet, I think the deadline is in another 30 days or so. We’ve got some time,” said Purzycki.

There are roughly 20 projects underway to ensure improvements are made in the city not including street paving and rehabilitation projects that’s estimated to be more than $258 million. The reconstruction of the I-95 Wilmington corridor will take up the bulk of costs at $165 million.

“All these projects are going to make the City of Wilmington a more attractive place to live, to work and to do business and that’s one of our top priorities,” Carney said.