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 I-95 program has defined projects to manage congestion, accidents, pavement conditions, safety and air quality. The program is 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 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 is still heavily needed in this area.

Project Limits

Along Interstate 95 from the Maryland State Line to the Pennsylvania State Line

Project Traffic Impacts

For each project, DelDOT developed a traffic control plan that considered all modes of traffic, peak travel times, alternate routes, and possible mitigation measures.

• When possible, we will maintain the current number of traffic lanes during peak hours to provide an acceptable level of service. We will also maintain access to businesses, bicyclists, and pedestrians while ensuring safe conditions to both the construction workers and roadway travelers.
• The contractor will usually reduce lanes at night to increase his work area, to bring in and remove materials, and be the least disruptive to the traveling public.
• The projects have damage clauses should the contractor not fully reopen the road each morning at the designated time or meet his overall completion date.

Projects along the Turnpike Corridor require substantial outreach and awareness so that users both in Delaware and traveling through Delaware can make smart choices 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 in state and out of state. This is done through radio ads, billboards, overhead message signs, brochures, etc. There are limited alternative routes that are available.
• Signal timing adjustments and improvements have been implemented along corridors that may experience increased volumes due to construction in the I-95 corridor.
• We are promoting multimodal options with DART First State and Rideshare/TMA programs.
• A "Clear the Road" policy is enacted for the various project areas. There is legislation in place that allows us to move minor accident vehicles off the roadway, making it possible to re-open lanes and reduce backups.
• We have held numerous public workshops and meetings with communities and businesses over the past 10 years. We also meet with stakeholders as the start of construction approaches.