DelDOT's Traffic Update for Memorial Day Weekend

Dover -- In response to the always heavy traffic associated with the Memorial Day weekend, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will suspend road construction projects beginning at noon on Friday, May 22, to ease travel to area beaches and Memorial Day events around the state. Construction will not resume until after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26.

During the traditional start of the summer season, DelDOT's Transportation Management Center (TMC) will provide continuous monitoring of traffic flow and operations across the state. DelDOT's radio station, WTMC-1380AM offers motorists with real-time traffic information in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties.

All EZ-Pass lanes and cash toll lanes will be in service for the holiday. Tolls are collected at the I-95 plaza in Newark, and the two plaza sites on Route 1 in Dover and at Biddle's Corner.

DelDOT will have twenty-four Summer Traffic Patrol units on alert throughout the state this weekend during peak travel times monitoring road conditions and assisting motorists where necessary. These units assist travelers with accidents, vehicle breakdowns, and have radio capabilities to keep in constant contact with DelDOT's 24-hour TMC regarding traffic delays due to signal timing or congested traffic.

DART First State will operate seven transit routes in the resort area serving Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, Fenwick, Lewes, Georgetown, Long Neck and Ocean City, Maryland. Transit service, which will begin on Thursday, May 21, operates 7 days a week through Sunday, September 20. Early season hours of operation are reduced until peak season begins on Wednesday, July 1. A daily pass is available for $2.10, or park at the Rehoboth Park & Ride for $7.00 and everyone in the vehicle gets a free daily pass. The Route 305 Beach Connection linking Wilmington/Dover to Rehoboth Beach will operate on Friday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Friday, May 22 through Monday, September 7. Bus stops include Rodney Square, Wilmington Amtrak Station, Christiana Mall, Smyrna Rest Stop, Scarborough Road Park & Ride in Dover, Super Wal-Mart in Milford, and the Rehoboth Park & Ride.

DART is coordinating with the Delaware River Bay Authority (DRBA) Cape May-Lewes Ferry Shuttle Service in Lewes to connect at the Rehoboth Park & Ride allowing ferry passengers to travel via bus around the resort area, and to Ocean City, MD. For more information on DART's Resort Transit, visit www.DARTFirstState.com.

Motorists should check the Travel Advisory section of the DelDOT website for updated travel related information and live video of traffic conditions at www.deldot.gov as well at DelDOT's radio station WTMC-1380 AM. They can also check the DART First State resort transit service website at www.dartfirststate.com for information regarding fares, bus schedules, all-day passes, etc. DelDOT asks all motorists to travel during off peak hours, allow extra time to reach your destination, slow down at toll plazas, and obey traffic laws.

MEMORIAL DAY 2008 TRAFFIC COUNTS
(Totals reflect the amount of vehicles in a 24-hour period)

TOLL PLAZAS:
Route 1 - Dover Plaza
Friday 5/23 - 55,031
Saturday 5/24 - 36,426
Sunday 5/25 - 32,280
Monday 5/26 - 50,489

Route 1 - Biddle's Corner Plaza
Friday 5/23 - 71,812
Saturday 5/24 - 43,983
Sunday 5/25 - 39,446
Monday 5/26 - 55,870

I-95 Newark Plaza
Friday 5/23 - 104,813
Saturday 5/24 - 98,494
Sunday 5/25 - 87,477
Monday 5/26 - 99,862

NEW CASTLE COUNTY:
I-495
Friday 5/23 - 79,600
Saturday 5/24 - 62,849
Sunday 5/25 - 56,086
Monday 5/26 - 57,358

C & D Canal
Friday 5/23 - 36,881
Saturday 5/24 - 67,286
Sunday 5/25 - 58,421
Monday 5/26 - 72,727

KENT COUNTY:
Route 113, North of Milford
Friday 5/23 - 30,195
Saturday 5/24 - 20,974
Sunday 5/25 - 16,538
Monday 5/26 - 18,396

Route 113, Barratts Chapel
Friday 5/23 - 58,330
Saturday 5/24 - 41,856
Sunday 5/25 - 37,927
Monday 5/26 - 43,444

SUSSEX COUNTY:
Route 9, Laurel
Friday 5/23 - 6626
Saturday 5/24 - 5274
Sunday 5/25 - 4068
Monday 5/26 - 3404

Route 1, Fenwick Island
Friday 5/23 - 33,801
Saturday 5/24 - 43,557
Sunday 5/25 - 45,957
Monday 5/26 - 34,747