Recovery-Funded Old Lancaster Pike Project Bid Awarded

Middletown-based contractor set to do work

Hockessin -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has awarded the bid for the Old Lancaster Pike Streetscape Improvements to Mumford & Miller Concrete, Inc. of Middletown. The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project bid was awarded July 16 and will total $1,710,270.75.

Streetscape improvements along Old Lancaster Pike from Valley Road to Erickson Avenue will include new sidewalks, upgrades to curb ramps, drainage modifications, crosswalks, landscaping and lighting. The project was approved as an ARRA project for the 120-day obligation plan. Construction should begin in late August and last up to 10 months. This project will create and-or retain up to 60 jobs for Delaware construction workers.

"My administration is working hard every day to create jobs and get our economy moving," Gov. Jack Markell said. "The Old Lancaster Pike is a great example of how Recovery Act funds can be spent because it will get Delawareans back to work and improve our infrastructure."

"Many Delawareans know this stretch of road as the site of Hockessin's famous July 4th parade. This is a great project that will put people to work and make needed, practical improvements to a heavily used roadway," Lt. Gov. Matt Denn said.

"Our goal is to improve the safety of residents who want to walk to downtown businesses. This project will connect sidewalks that were not connected and widen the portions that were too narrow," Transportation Secretary Carolann Wicks said. "It will improve the signing and striping of crosswalks so people can cross the street more safely. Additional lighting will accommodate pedestrians later in the day, if perhaps, they're leaving a soccer game at Swift Memorial Park. Larger pipes will be put in so that water won't pool in the streets and freeze in the winter."

Wicks said many community partnerships were formed to complete the design and designate the project as part of ARRA. The Recovery Act partly focuses on projects that develop pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

Ken Murphy, president of the Hockessin Planning Partnership, said the vision for the redevelopment of Hockessin began almost a decade ago.

"The Old Lancaster Pike project is core to the Hockessin Village Plan, to our development of place, and economic redevelopment," he said. "We're very excited. This project is important because our vision considers pedestrian-friendly developments, so residents and community members can walk to the downtown area. I think other positive changes will occur because we've developed the center of the village. It's a dream come true."

Delaware's U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman said Delaware is to be commended for making good on the promise of delivering jobs and needed transportation improvements. "This is the good news we hoped for when we voted for the Recovery Act. Millions of dollars in local projects, quickly underway, and - most importantly - people back to work. We applaud Gov. Markell and Secretary Wicks for taking fast advantage of the funding we were proud to help provide. This is the cooperation our state and nation need to get back on track."

DelDOT's $140.9 million ARRA projects range from big-ticket items, such as the additional highway-speed E-ZPass lanes at the I-95 Toll Plaza and more than $25 million worth of paving and rehabilitation work statewide, to safety projects such as traffic signal projects, guardrail replacement and bridge maintenance. Funding is being targeted not just for traditional road projects, but also for transit projects such as the first phase of a new Dover Transit Center, upgraded park-and-ride facilities and new rail cars and buses. The project list also includes money for raising South Market Street in Wilmington out of the flood plain and funding to refurbish the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, both designed to enhance economic opportunities in those areas.