The Delaware Turnpike is a major link of I-95 along the East Coast Corridor of the United States. Since its opening in 1962 by President John F Kennedy, it has become a critical link in the transportation of people, goods and services. Today the roadway experiences extremely high volumes ranging from 100,000 vehicles around the Newark area to nearly 240,000 vehicles through Churchman's Marsh in the summer months. The Program has defined projects to manage congestion, accidents, pavement conditions, safety and air quality. The program has been part of a multi-year, multi-project effort that has included work at:

• Churchman's Road/SR 7 Intersection (Completed 1999)
• Churchman's Road Bridge over I-95 (Completed 2006)
• SR896/I95 Improvement (Completed 2007)
• I-95 Mainline Widening (Completed 2008)
• I-95 Newark Toll Plaza Highway Speed E-ZPass Lanes (Start April 2010)
• SR1/I-95 Mall Interchange (Start Spring 2011)

Increasing volumes, overall congestion and development south of SR 1 has led to deteriorating levels of service within the area. While morning and evening peaks continue to struggle, this area also has deteriorating traffic conditions at many other times of the day, and often during weekends. While the Department spent much of the 1990's and early 2000's promoting and advancing multi-modal alternatives, infrastructure development was still heavily needed in this area.

Project Limits

Along Interstate 95 from the Maryland State Line to I-295

Project Restrictions

For each project, DelDOT will develop a traffic control plan for the various jobs taking into account the project limits, conditions and project needs. We try to focus on various aspects of the transportation users along the facility.

• Where possible, we will maintain traffic lanes during peak hours as best as possible to provide an acceptable level of service. We will also try to provide access to businesses, bicyclist, and pedestrians while also ensuring safe conditions to both the construction works and roadway travelers.
• Typically on these types of jobs, the work zone for the contractor is very narrow, due to wetland restrictions on the outside and the travel lanes on the inside. The contractor will often reduce lanes at night to increase his work area, to bring in and remove materials, etc.
• The projects have substantial damages clauses should the contractor not fully reopen the road each morning at the designated time or meet his completion date (the "B" Portion).
• Environmental and Historical impacts are minimized in conjunction with efforts from DelDOT Environmental Team and Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DRREC), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).

Projects along the Turnpike Corridor require substantial outreach and awareness so that user both in Delaware and traveling through Delaware can make smart choice prior to entering a construction area. Changing their travel pattern or modes, traveling at off peak times, etc will assist the users if they are made aware of the restriction and impacts.

• Education and awareness will happen both instate and out. This is done through radio adds, Billboards, brochures etc..There are no real alternative routes that are problem/issue free.
• Signal timing adjustments and improvements have been implemented along corridors that may experience increased volumes. Also we have utilized advance notices via message boards along I-95.
• Promoting multimodal options with Dart First State and Rideshare/TMA programs.
• A "Clear the Road" policy is reenacted for the various project areas. We have gotten legislation approved in the past with this policy that allows us to move minor accident vehicles off the roadway. This is for the typical fender benders. Thus we can open lanes and reduce backups.
• We have held public workshops and meetings with communities and businesses over the past 10 years. We also have meetings as the start of work approaches.