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JANUARY 2008

GREAT NEWS FOR I-95

While Delaware legislators may not understand the significance of the I-95 delays at Delaware’s ancient toll plaza, the rest of the states along the I-95 corridor do, and they’re fed up.  Last year, the General Assembly provided some of the needed new funding for the Transportation Trust Fund, but not enough, stalling a number of important transportation projects, such as providing high-speed E-ZPass lanes at the toll plaza.

Not even the prospect of drawing some of the businesses, with high-paying jobs, which are relocating from New Jersey to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) under the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) process (See May and October 2007 FYIs) was enough to produce support for the needed funding.

But, the delay at Delaware’s I-95 toll plaza has become an issue beyond Delaware.  The I-95 Coalition, made up of all the states along the I-95 corridor from Maine to Florida, made installing high-speed E-ZPass lanes at Delaware’s toll plaza a priority for federal funding. WILMAPCO has announced that Delaware has now been allocated $36 million for the reconfiguration of the Newark Toll Plaza to incorporate Highway Speed E-ZPass lanes.  Delaware is allocating $1 million in FY 2009 for Preliminary Engineering (PE).  Federal dollars begin in FY 2010 with $8 million, followed by $20 million in FY 2011 and $8 million in 2012.  Delaware must come up with $9 million for its 20% match.

The toll plaza improvements will be the third phase of the three major projects on I-95 between I-295 and the Maryland State Line.  The I-95 Fifth Lane Expansion from Churchmans Bridge to I-295, which will provide a fifth travel lane alone I-95 both Northbound and Southbound, from the SR 1 Interchange through the 141 Basin Road Interchange is under construction and scheduled for completion in FY 2009.  Phase two, the SR1/I-95 Interchange, will include construction of a new multiple-lane interchange which will separate local traffic from high-speed traffic and reduce the traffic weaving around the Christiana Mall, SR 1, and I-95 areas.  Construction is scheduled to begin in FY 2009 and be completed in FY 2011.  With completion of the toll plaza, scheduled for FY 2010-12, the flow of traffic on I-95 should be greatly enhanced.

GOVERNOR MINNER’S PROPOSED FY 2009 BUDGET

Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s proposed operating budget of $3.41 billion limits State agency growth to 3.81%; her proposed capital budget, or bond bill, recommends $239.6 million for public education and agency projects and $233.7 million for the Department of Transportation capital program.  More than 93% of the FY 2009 budget growth is from “door openers” such as Medicaid ($36.2 million), increased public school enrollment ($9.8 million), and growth in the juvenile justice system ($3.4 million).   Highlights include:

Education

  • $132.7 million for ongoing public school construction projects in the Appoquinimink,Brandywine, Cape Henlopen, Capital, Ceasar Rodney, Colonial, Lake forest, Milford, Smyrna, and Sussex Technical school districts, as well as the Streck School for the Deaf.
  • $2.8 million in support of the Department of Education and Vision 2015 initiatives.
  • $2.6 million to support the full-day kindergarten initiative in 11 school districts, 9 charter schools, and pilot classrooms in two additional school districts.
  • $689,000 in the SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) scholarships, which enable every Delaware student to attend college free if he or she keeps up his or her grades and stay out of trouble.
  • Commitment to identify a funding source for Delaware Technical and Community College

Health

  • $16.2 million to continue funding for a comprehensive list of cancer treatment initiatives as recommended by the Cancer Consortium.
  • $1.6 million for the Self Directed Services program to provide in-home rehabilitative services for persons with developmental disabilities.
  • $1.3 million to implement recommendations of the Infant Mortality Task Force.
  • $250,000 to implement recommendations of the Health Disparities Task Force.
  • $1 million to plan a the new psychiatric hospital at the Herman Holloway Campus of the Department of Health and Social Services and $500,000 for further improvements to the Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) pending recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on the DPC

Safety

  • $9 million for the Kent County Court Complex for the expansion and renovation of court facilities in Kent County and the continuation of the program to modernize court facilities throughout the State.
  • $4.5 million to complete the enhancements to the State’s 800 MHz emergency radio communication system.
  • $835,400 to fund two additional Superior Court judges and additional court staff to address increasing caseloads.
  • $695,000 to fund 10 additional Delaware State Police troopers which, along with an agreement with Sussex County, will bring the Delaware State Police to 680 troopers over the next several years.

Self Sufficiency

  • $8.5 million to support libraries throughout the State to include projects in Dover, Milford, and the New Castle Public Library.
  • $5 million to preserve the supply of low-income housing units for families in need.
  • $250,000 for the Delaware Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (DEMAP)
  • A pilot Sunday Bus Service program for select routes in New Castle County to provide greater opportunities for the residents of Delaware to access services and employment opportunities.

Economic Development

  • $8 million to the Delaware Strategic Fund to support economic development in Delaware.
  • 2 million for the fifth year of funding for the New Economy Initiative to expand Delaware’s research base in biotechnology and life sciences and to support the initiation fo a regional infrastructure plan.
  • $2 million for continued support for the Diamond State Port Corporation.
  • $1 million to the Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology for vaccine development.
  • $750,000 for crop insurance.

Environment/Livable Delaware

  • $20 million through the continued dedication of earmarked revenue for the Farmland Preservation program and the Open Space program.
  • $3.2 million for Conservation Cost Share projects to support best practices in the management of soil nutrients for urban and rural landowners.
  • $2.2 million for beach preservation and replenishment.
  • $1 million for the Clean Water State Grant Match to improve water treatment facilities statewide.

Beverley Baxter