The groundbreaking for the Delaware Highway Memorial Garden was held October 7, 2004 at the Smyrna Rest Area. Shown in the photo below from left to right are:

Sec of Safety & Homeland Security David Mitchell, Rep. Bruce Ennis, Rep. Bethany Hall-Long, Lt. Gov. John Carney, Lisa Aretz, Compassionate Friends Member, Rosalie Walls, President, Delaware Chapter of MADD, P.J. Wilkins, Toll Operations Administrator for DelDOT, and Ceil Buonocore, President, Compassionate Friends

However, due to budget shortfalls noted in June 2005, the construction of the garden was put on hold until sufficient funding could be secured.

In October 2006, several Delaware lawmakers allocated a portion of their annual Community Transportation Funds, which paired with DelDOT’s Transportation Enhancement Program funding, provided the money needed for the garden’s construction.

Finally, construction began in November 2006.

Track the garden’s construction by clicking on Photo Gallery.