WILMAPCO is studying the possibility of "capping" one or more sections of I-95 between the Delaware Avenue bridge and the 6^th Street bridge. Highway caps create the opportunity for new public spaces and walking/biking connections on top of highways. The areas between the bridges create an opportunity for new connections between neighborhoods divided by the highway and new public spaces for the community to enjoy. You are invited to review preliminary design ideas and share your thoughts. Click the links below to view the recent Public Workshop presentation and share your thoughts.

Maryland and WILMAPCO are seeking projects for funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Maryland's TAP has available annually approximately $20 million in federal funds for a variety of alternative transportation projects including: planning, design, and construction funds for on and off-road facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized transportation. A portion of these funds will be awarded statewide through a competitive process. About $96 thousand are dedicated for use in Cecil County. SHA invites local governments and government-sponsored community groups to submit applications through May 16. Learn more at https://roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/Index.aspx?PageId=144 or contact WILMAPCO at 302-737-6205 ext. 118 to discuss your project idea.

DelDOT will hold a Public Workshop on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, to provide information on the 4th Street, Adams Street to Walnut Street project. The workshop will be conducted from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Delaware Technical Community College, Southeast Building (Main Entrance), 300 N. Orange Street, in Conference Rooms A & B. Workshop information will also be available on the project webpage at https://de.gov/4thstreet. The project will improve the multi-modal environment between city neighborhoods and employment centers to create a safer vehicular and pedestrian environment and improve the visual appearance of 4th Street. Comments will be received until June 2 on the project website, or can be mailed to DelDOT Community Relations, P.O. Box 778, Dover DE 19903, or sent via email to dotpr@delaware.gov.

As published in the Washington Post, "Maryland passed legislation to expedite rail projects and expand commuter train operations. The measure, the Maryland Regional Rail Transformation Act, moves forward a plan that aims to extend MARC trains past Union Station in the District and into Virginia in coming years, and it requires Maryland to advance design of rail projects that could use federal infrastructure money. The Maryland Regional Rail Transformation Act builds upon a 2020 bill that required the state to study extending MARC south to Alexandria to better connect Maryland and Virginia and to give Maryland commuters the option of a one-seat ride to jobs in Northern Virginia. The bill also ordered a similar agreement with Delaware and train companies in the state to close a gap in service between Perryville and Newark, Delaware."

Self-driving vehicles are a key consideration for the future of travel in Maryland and may become a part of everyday life – in fact you may already be driving a car with some of this technology. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) in coordination with the broader Maryland program wants to hear what all Marylanders have to say about self-driving vehicles and how we can plan for a future that meets everyone’s mobility needs. Survey answers will help the agency begin the conversation, improve public awareness, plan for the future of travel with self-driving vehicles, and help keep Maryland a great place to live, work, and play. Please take the survey below and share the links with your friends, family, colleagues, and anyone in your Maryland network.

The survey closes May 13, 2022 and all questions about this survey should be directed to SHACAV@mdot.maryland.gov .

The New Castle County Youth Planning Board is committed to prioritizing and empowering student voices in the local planning process in a way that is adaptive to the times and inclusive of all voices. This board is the first countywide forum for high school and college-aged students to learn about community planning and advocacy tools to improve their communities. Students will participate in a 10 month program that will include in-person and virtual activities that will support creation and implementation of the County’s comprehensive plan and other community planning efforts. The application must be submitted by July 5th, 2022. Residents of New Castle County who are 14-22 years old may apply. Parental consent is required.

The Equity Action Plan highlights work that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will undertake across four focus areas – wealth creation, power of community, interventions, and expanding access – to expand access and opportunity to all communities while focusing on underserved, overburdened, and disadvantaged communities. This Equity Action Plan is a major milestone for the Department of Transportation that represents a shift in how we view and deliver transportation programs.