Tom Warne Report, 28 June 2012
DOVER – Transportation officials have asked lawmakers for $471 million to fund a toll road as a replacement for U.S. 301 in southern New Castle County. The new road, which has been studied, debated and delayed for more than 60 years, would serve as a faster and less expensive alternate to I-95 for through traffic. Motorists would save $7.25 even taking into account Chesapeake Bay bridge tolls, compared to taking I-95 from Baltimore and the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Trucks would pay $38.75 less by using the new road.
Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt told members of the Bond Bill Committee that low construction costs and interest rates offset traffic declines. Members approved the spending, which will appear in the annual state capital budget bill, which requires the approval of the General Assembly.
“What is very important for this body to understand is, we are in a unique environment both with regard to interest rates and construction costs,” Bhatt said before the committee voted without dissent to approve the spending. “Construction costs have come down about $60 million, to about $385 million” for the first and longest phase of the project.
The first 14-mile section will provide a four-lane connection of U.S. 301 at the state border southwest of Middleton to Del. 1 at the Roth Bridge. Bidding could begin next spring, with construction beginning as early as mid-2013. Highway officials have already begun right-of-way purchases, funded by a previous $125 million bond sale.