Dover/Kent County MPO

FY 2020-2023 TIP Now Open For Public Comment

Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization FY 2020-2023 TIP Now Open For Public Comment   The Dover/Kent County MPO is now publishing its FY 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Plan on the MPO’s website (www.doverkentmpo.org) and is open for public comment between 3/29/19 and 5/1/19 when it will be voted on by the MPO Council for adoption.   The TIP is derived from the MPO’s long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Projects in the TIP are ones for which the Delaware Department of Transportation wants to secure federal funding. The TIP also serves as a budgetary guide for how much money will be spent on each project.   The FY2020-2023 TIP is very similar to the TIP for the previous year with these exceptions: DE 14 at US 113 Intersection Improvements Improvements to the northernmost section, US13 to DE 12, of Canterbury Road/DE 15 3 Bridge Repair Projects – Irish Hill Rd, Fisher’s Bridge, and Quail Run Transit Facilities for South Frederica Park and Ride   In conjunction with the TIP, the MPO has also published its Air Quality Conformity Analysis Report. The Kent County Air Quality Conformity Analysis Report was required after a February 2018 a US Court of Appeals decision against the EPA regarding the EPA’s rule implementing the 2008 ozone (which was the standard used in determining our being “in-attainment”).  This decision basically reverted air conformity compliance back to the 1997 Ozone standards and as a result of this court decision, 82 identified MPO areas (the D/KC MPO is part of these 82 areas) were being considered “not in attainment” with the 1997 Ozone standard.  On October 1, 2018 the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued Interim Guidance on Conformity requirements for the 1997 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) which also “strongly encourages all impacted areas to make every effort to complete their 1997 ozone conformity determinations as soon as possible to prevent delays of transportation plans, programs, and non-exempt projects.”  Furthermore, the FHWA guidance indicated that conformity determinations for the 1997 Ozone NAAQS will be required on plan, TIP and project actions after February 15, 2019.  As such and in order to meet the FHWA Interim Guidance regarding the FY20-23 TIP, the MPO had an air conformity determination on three Regionally Significant Non-Exempt projects listed in our current FY20-23 TIP (US Route 13 Widening Phase 1; US Route 13 Widening Phase 2; and US Route 13 Connector Road (SR1, Scarborough Road C-D Roads).  The report documents the Air Quality modeling process used on the three Regionally Significant and Not Exempt Projects which resulted in demonstrated conformity with the 1997 NAAQS for Ozone.   Any comments or concerns that people have can be sent to Helen Wiles, Public Outreach Manager for the MPO. Ms. Wiles can be reached by phone at 302-387-6026 or email at helen.wiles@doverkentmpo.org.   The public participation process for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) will also meet the public participation requirements for DTC’s Program of Projects (POP). The TIP also considers effects upon low income and minority residents. […]

FY2016-2019 TIP: Public comment period to run for proposed amendment, Glenwood Avenue project

The Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment to its FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This comment period will start on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and end on Thursday, Oct. 8. The proposed amendment calls for the removal of a project on Route 300, Glenwood Avenue, in Smyrna. This project’s scope called for revisions to several existing commercial entrances, channelization of some entrances, the installation of a new traffic signal and a myriad of revisions for signs and stripes on the road. Delaware’s Department of Transportation had put the road in its 2009 Hazard Elimination Program, citing improvements were needed to revise the commercial entrances through the corridor to reduce the severity and frequency of crashes. In March, DelDOT decided to withdraw the intended project following a February public workshop in Smyrna where community members, Smyrna police and town officials opposed the work and asked DelDOT to reassess the safety needs for the area. After reassessing the project as requested,  DelDOT’s  findings indicated that the project was no longer necessary. The Dover/Kent County MPO is running a public comment period on the removal of the project because the project is listed in its TIP in addition to DelDOT’s Capital Transportation Program (CTP). Projects listed in the TIP must also appear in the CTP. Further information regarding the proposed TIP amendment is available for view as FULL FY2016-2019 TIP AMENDED 9-2-2015 PENDING . For more information, or to comment on the application, call (302) 387-6026 or (302) 387-6030. E-mailed comments go to kate.layton@doverkentmpo.org.  

Dover/Kent County MPO office closed for Labor Day

The Dover/Kent County MPO office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day. Offices will re-open as usual on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Thank you, and have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Public Comment Period for 2016-2019 TIP runs through Sept. 2

CAMDEN — The Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization has proposed three amendments to its FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program. These proposed changes warrant a public comment period, which is running from now through Sept. 2. The first proposed amendment involves the proposed addition of a third lane in both the northbound and southbound directions of U.S. 13. This amendment involves the section of highway that runs from Lochmeath Way in Camden to Walnut Shade Road near Woodside. In addition to the roadway widening, work would involve storm water management facilities, multiple intersection redesigns, traffic signal reconfigurations and improvements for multiple transportation modes. The justification for the project is, the corridor has repeatedly been cited for safety improvements. Design for the $17.5 million project is scheduled for fiscal year 2018. The second proposed amendment involves the Camden Bypass, from South Street to Rising Sun Road. The project would provide a connection on new alignment from South Street to a new signalized intersection at U.S. 13, and extending to State Route 10. The road would align Rising Sun Road with Route 10 and maintain the signal at Camden-Wyoming Avenue and U.S. 13. The rationale for the $13.2 million project is, the project is part of the Camden Bypass Study that was adopted in to the Town of Camden’s comprehensive plan. The intent of the project is to provide a bypass alternative to relieve congestion and heavy vehicles from downtown Camden. Project design is scheduled to start in fiscal year 2017. The third proposed amendment involves road improvements to Walnut Shade road, starting at the intersection of Walnut Shade and U.S. 13 to Peachtree Run Road. Work would include upgrading the road to accommodate traffic as well as build in walking and bicycling amenities. Estimated cost for the project is nearly $12 million. Project design is expected to start in fiscal year 2019. 07 30 15 CTP FY 15 Camden Bypass, South Street to Rising Sun Road 14-00029 KC 07 30 15 CTP FY 15 HEP KC, US13 Walnut Shade Rd. to Lochmeath Way 15-00013 KC 07 30 15 CTP FY 15 Walnut Shade Road, US13 to Peachtree Run Road 14-00030 KC

MPO Council approves FY 2016-2019 TIP

CAMDEN — Council members for the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization on Wednesday unanimously approved the MPO’s FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP represents the first three-to-four years of the MPO’s long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Projects in the TIP are ones for which the Delaware Department of Transportation wants to secure federal funding. The TIP also serves as a budgetary guide for how much money will be spent on each project. The MPO held a public comment period for the TIP between March 30 and April 30. MPO Council member Drew Boyce said the unanimous MPO Council vote was an indication that “projects that are moving forward are consistent with the council’s vision for Kent County.” “Moving forward, a lot of big infrastructure projects are happening, which is great for Kent County,” Boyce said. “And we’re going to continue to support projects that move the county in the right direction with safety, mobility and as much as we can, this economic component.” MPO Chairman Brad Eaby said the MPO did its part on Wednesday in the planning process. “It was a constructive exercise that we went through last time,” Eaby said, referring to delays that the council went through last year before approving the FY 2015-2018 TIP. “But I think it made the process stronger in the long run, and made the parties work together even more cohesively in the future.” There are many projects in the FY 2016-2019 TIP, including ones that have been on the docket for some time. Some of those projects have already started, such as the West Dover Connector and the grade-separated intersection at Rt. 1 and Thompsonville Road, and are scheduled to continue in the just-approved TIP. “We are finally starting to see the result of all that hard work in the actual moving of dirt and laying concrete and getting these projects in the ground, because as long and hard as we work on them there’s really no public benefit until they’re done.” Some highlight projects in the FY 2016-2018 TIP include: • Continued construction of the West Dover Connector and the Route 1/Thompsonville Road grade-separated intersection • Start of construction for the improvements to Route 1/Little Heaven and the Route 1/South Frederica grade-separated intersections • Safety improvements along Glenwood Avenue in Smyrna • Construction of a roundabout at Route 10/Route 15 Design projects include: • U.S. 13 widening (from the Puncheon Run connector to Lochmeath Way) • Kenton Road (Route 8 to Walker Road) • Crawford Carroll Road extension • Loockerman Street/Forest Street improvements

MPO opens comment period on updated FY 2015-18 TIP

2015-2018 TIP FULL DRAFT 9-3-2014 Dover/Kent County MPO opens public comment period for an updated FY 2015-2018 Transportation Improvement Program CAMDEN – Earlier this year, the Dover/Kent County MPO held a public comment period for its draft FY 2015-18 Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP. Since then, the Delaware Department of Transportation, which builds many of the state’s roads, saw some budgetary and project prioritization changes. These changes impacted some transportation project timelines, which therefore also impacted the MPO’s TIP. There are still a number of road projects on the horizon within Kent County. Due to the changes, the MPO has revised its draft TIP for FY 2015-18 to reflect the budgetary and prioritization changes. This also means the MPO is issuing a new 30-day public comment period for the revised TIP that will start July 23 and end Aug. 22. The TIP represents the first few years of the MPO’s long range Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Projects in the TIP are ones for which the Delaware Department of Transportation wants to secure federal funding. The TIP also serves as a budgetary guide for how much money will be spent on each project. Some project highlights of the proposed TIP include: • Design for the widening of U.S. 13 from two lanes to three lanes on both sides of the divided highway. The widening would occur between the Puncheon Run Connector in Dover and Walnut Shade Road in Woodside. • The construction of the West Dover Connector. • Grade-separated intersections along, Rt. 1 and Thompsonville Road (with construction scheduled for FY 15), Rt. 1 in Little Heaven (with construction scheduled for FY 16) and Rt. 1 in South Frederica (with construction scheduled for FY 17). • Several safety projects, such as improvements at Glenwood Avenue in Smyrna. • A roundabout at the Route 10/15 intersection west of Camden. • Bridge rehabilitation projects throughout the county. • The TIP includes additional transit vehicle purchases and replacements.  

Regional Bicycle Plan

In September 2011, Dover Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization adopted its Regional Bicycle Plan. The bike plan aims to create an effective, safe bicycle system in central Delaware. It shows where there are bicycle trails, lanes and similar facilities in central Delaware and where there are gaps in service. In addition, the plan addresses the need for bicyclists and motorists to share the road, increase recreational biking as well as encourage people to bike to work or school. The plan was the result of the MPO’s 2008 Regional Transportation Plan, in which public comments expressed a need for more bicycle facilities.