Transportation news and events from the
Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO). 
May 2021
WILMAPCO News
Help Plan for the Future of Union Street
You are invited to attend a Virtual Public Workshop for the Union Street Reconfiguration & Streetscape Improvement Study on

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

WILMAPCO, DelDOT, and the City of Wilmington have launched a study to examine how to reconfigure Union Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Sycamore Street to make it safer and serve residents and businesses better. The goal is to develop Union Street into a “Main Street” corridor that supports future land use and transportation needs for all users and modes of transportation.

To register to attend, learn more about this study, or share your thoughts and ideas for improving Union Street, please visit www.wilmapco.org/unionstreet.
WILMAPCO's Draft FY 22 Budget is Still Available for Review and Comment
WILMAPCO's Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the document that specifies the tasks we plan to undertake during the upcoming fiscal year, is still available for public review and comment for a few more days, until May 3, 2021. To review and submit a comment on the draft document by May 3, please visit www.wilmapco.org/upwp.
WILMAPCO's Quarterly Newsletter is Going Digital
WILMAPCO's quarterly printed newsletter, Transporter, is going digital. The Transporter provides details on WILMAPCO's most recent plans, studies, and events.

To view or subscribe to the Transporter electronically, please visit www.wilmapco.org/news/.

A printed copy of the newsletter will still be mailed to those requesting it. To request a printed newsletter, please email Dawn Voss at dvoss@wilmapco.org.
Local News
May is Newark Bike Month
Newark is celebrating National Bike Month this May with a social media photo contest. Whatever your reason for riding, enjoy Newark on your bike! Share your favorite destinations and how you get there. Post a biking photo to Facebook or Twitter, tagging @BikeNewark, or send it to BikeNewark@gmail.com. Each post earns you a prize entry. Entries must be shared by May 25. In addition, look for BikeNewark along the Pomeroy Trail near Main Street on Sunday, May 16 from noon-2 p.m.
Open Streets Wilmington Launches May 15
Join Open Streets Wilmington for the inaugural event! On Saturday, May 15 from 2 – 6 p.m., Market Street will be closed to motor vehicles from 4th through 10th Streets. Bring the whole family out for a walk or bike ride downtown. Businesses will be open! Enjoy children's activities, outdoor fitness classes, cooking demos and healthy food giveaways, raffle prizes, and more! Plus, the CarePortMD Vaccine bus will be on site with first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Additional Open Street events will be held monthly this summer.
MDOT Seeking Public Input for Update of Maryland State Freight Plan
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is updating the Maryland State Freight Plan and seeking public input to help set goals and priorities for the efficient, safe and sustainable movement of goods across the state. A safe and reliable freight system is critical to Maryland’s supply chain, and can lead to lower costs for goods that consumers and companies need to support a high quality of life and successful economy.
 
As part of the plan update, MDOT has launched an online survey, at metroquestsurvey.com/ow82j, that solicits public input on freight priorities and issues in Maryland. The survey is available through May 14, 2021. In addition, feedback can be provided by email at MDStateFreightPlan@mdot.maryland.gov
Funding Available for Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects in Cecil County
Maryland Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), the Safe Routes to School (SRTS), and the MDOT Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program. TAP/SRTS applications are due May 17, 2021. Bikeways applications will be accepted from May 3, 2021 through June 3, 2021. TAP funds a variety of projects that create bicycle and pedestrian facilities, restore historic transportation buildings, convert abandoned railway corridors to pedestrian trails, and mitigate highway runoff. SRTS programs fund projects that enable and encourage children to safely walk, roll, or bicycle to school. The Bikeways Program provides grant support for a wide range of bicycle network development activities. To learn more, please visit:

Maryland Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is creating a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) to achieve its goal of eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries on Maryland roadways.  
  
A virtual public meeting will be held on Friday, April 30, from 1-2 p.m.
  
The meeting held via Microsoft Teams is available to all and can be accessed on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or by calling in by phone. A recording of this public meeting and information on future Pedestrian Safety Action Plan activities will be available at www.roads.maryland.gov/contextdriven
NCC@2050 Deep Dive Sessions
New Castle County invites you to a series of virtual workshops designed to further examine topics comprising the NCC@2050 Comprehensive Plan. During these workshops, subject matter experts and attendees will be asked to brainstorm and provide detailed input on draft goals, objectives, alternative future development possibilities, and strategies.
  
Deep Dive Session #5 (May 5, 6-8 p.m.) will focus on:
  • Environmental Justice
  • Social Justice
Join DART for an Outdoor Community Conversion
DART First State would like your input and comments on bus services (trip times/schedules, routing, bus stops, etc.) before finalizing minor change proposals to be presented at a virtual public hearing workshop in June, for DART's statewide service change effective September 12, 2021. Please bring your own topics, suggestions and ideas to the conversation!

Wilmington Transit Center
100 N. Walnut St., Wilmington
Wednesday, 05/12/2021
6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Route 9 Receives Federal Designation as Scenic Byway
As reported by Delaware Public Media, "Delaware’s Route 9 Bayshore Byway is now considered a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration. The 100-mile stretch of two lane highway runs from New Castle to Lewes along the Delaware River and Bay Estuary. DelDOT started the state byway program in 2000. There are six state-recognized byways in Delaware. The Brandywine Scenic Byway in north Wilmington was the first to receive a federal designation. Officials say the designation means more tourism and potential for economic development."
Delaware Greenways Launches new Website
Delaware Greenways has launched a new website design. The new design features several new and enhanced capabilities for all who visit the site: 
  • Adventure seekers will find an expanded library of trails and byways to make it easier to find your path to fitness, a scenic getaway or family fun. Plus, interactive maps now offer directions to trail heads and parking lots.
  • Advocates of Delaware Greenways and the statewide network of trails and byways will find more ways to help us shape the future through creating and expanding these priceless resources. 
  • Our partners and coalition members will find quick access to status and information on current and past projects.
National News
Amtrak to Expand Service in Northeast under Biden's infrastructure Plan
As reported by USA Today, "Amtrak has released a proposed map of new and expanded service as part of the proposed American Jobs Plan, a massive $2 trillion plan to rebuild the nation's aging infrastructure. Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor is the busiest railroad in North America. The plan seeks to repair major tunnels and bridges that are mostly a century old along the Northeast Corridor and to rehabilitate stations. Other expanded services would run on the existing lines from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh; New York through Baltimore and Washington, D.C. "
Google Earth Now Shows the Consequences of Climate Change
As reported by ScienceAlert.com, "Google Earth now gives you a 3D tour of the planet in your web browser, and the app's newest feature lets you look back from the current day all the way to 1984 – so you can see how climate change has changed the face of Earth over the last 37 years."
You are invited to participate in the transportation planning process, regardless of your race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), religion, creed, gender, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran’s status, or background. To request special accommodations, or if you need this information in another language, please contact WILMAPCO at (302) 737-6205 or​ dvoss@wilmapco.org.