Current Status/Next Steps

Final Design

On April 30, 2008, FHWA approved the Record of Decision for the US 301 project and the Green North + Spur Road as the selected alternative. FHWA authorized the use of federal funds for final design and the preparation of construction contract documents in September 2008. DelDOT has retained four section design teams to provide final design services. The project is contemplated to be designed and constructed in four main sections:

Section Description

1. US 301 - East of Norfolk Southern Railroad to SR 1
2. US 301 - North of Levels Road to East of Norfolk Southern Railroad
3. US 301 - MD/DE Line to North of Levels Road
4. Spur Road - New US 301 to SR15/SR896, South of Summit Bridge

Right-of-Way Acquisition

In June 2008, the FHWA approved the use of federal funds to acquire the right-of-way needed to construct new US 301. DelDOT is currently working with property owners who have requested early acquisition of their property. DelDOT has sent letters to property owners whose entire property may be needed for the new US 301 and has met with many property owners. These activities will continue during the final design phase.

Resource Agency Coordination

Consultation and coordination, including working sessions and field reviews of the selected Green North + Spur Road, with the federal and state environmental and regulatory resource agencies will continue throughout the design phase of the project. DelDOT has received a provisional permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers for the Selected Alternative.

Public Outreach

Public outreach has been and will continue to be an important part of the US 301 project. The 301 project team will continue to meet with property owners, elected officials, businesses, churches, communities, civic groups and others, during the final design phase. In addition, information will be provided on the 301 website, through newsletters, at public workshops and through various media outlets.

US 301 Funding Concept

The funding concept for new US 301 has three goals:

• To implement new US 301 while minimizing its impact on the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) and the statewide Capital Transportation Plan (CTP),
• To not negatively affect DelDOT's strong bond rating (Moodys = Aa3 and S&P = AA+), and
• To have those who use new US 301 pay for it.

DelDOT has determined that a funding concept that primarily utilizes bonds, supported by toll revenues, is the best approach to meet these funding goals.