Infrastructure Investments in the 12th Senate District

Friends and neighbors,

I want to give you an update on several job-creating transportation projects underway in the 12th Senate District, thanks to the $1.4 billion Bond Bill passed by the Delaware General Assembly in June – the largest infrastructure improvement and jobs creation act in Delaware history.

As the co-chair of the Joint Capital Improvement Committee, also known as the Bond Bill Committee, I successfully secured funding for dozens of critical infrastructure projects that will advance the safety and welfare of commuters, as well as the economic health of our state.

Below is a list of just some of the major Delaware Department of Transportation projects occurring in the 12th Senate District.

Be sure to click on the blue links for more information about each project.

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Boyds Corner Road, Cedar Lane Road to U.S. 13

Project Description: The area of New Castle County just below the C & D Canal is expected to experience added congestion and safety issues. This project is part of a Master Plan for improvements in this growing area. The project will improve Boyds Corner Road to four lanes with a median, shoulders and a multi-use path on each side of the roadway.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: 2026

Projected Construction Completion: 2028

Project Update: Design is underway.

Cedar Lane, Marl Pit Road to Boyds Corner Road

Project Description: The area of New Castle County just below the C & D Canal is expected to experience added congestion and safety issues. This project is part of a Master Plan for improvements in this growing area. The project will widen the road to provide shoulders, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and replace of two bridges. Intersections at each end will be constructed under separate projects.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: TBD

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: Design work is currently on hold as traffic projections related to the Southern New Castle County Transportation Improvement District (TID) are being re-evaluated as part of a regular TID update.

Lorewood Grove Road, Jamison Corner Road to Del. 1

Project Description: The area of New Castle County just below the C & D Canal is expected to experience added congestion and safety issues. This project is part of a Master Plan for improvements in this growing area. The project will improve Lorewood Grove Road to add shoulders and a multi-use path on one side of the roadway, from Jamison Corner Road to Del. 1.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: 2026

Projected Construction Completion: 2027

Project Update: Design work is currently on hold as traffic projections related to the Southern New Castle County Transportation Improvement District (TID) are being re-evaluated as part of a regular TID update.

Dragon Run Tide Gates Replacement

Project Description: The existing tide gates have deteriorated and are no longer functioning properly, which is causing upstream flooding and negative environmental impacts to the marsh wetlands. This project will include a full replacement of the gates.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: Fall 2023

Projected Construction Completion: Fall 2023

Project Update: Design is underway.

Del. 1 Widening, Del. 273 to the Roth Bridge

Project Description: This project will identify and prioritize cost-effective short, mid-and long-term transportation infrastructure improvements along Del. 1 from the Roth Bridge to south of I-95 that reduce congestion and travel times and improve safety, while minimizing environmental impacts.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: TBD

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: Planning for the widening of Del. 1, including various interchange improvements, has been ongoing. A project of this magnitude takes many years of planning, environmental approvals, public outreach, design, and ultimately construction. Fortunately, DelDOT has been able to implement several smaller-scale upgrades while the larger project continues through the process. A virtual public workshop was held on October 27, 2021, to present the recommended preferred alternative and updates to the noise study and other environmental efforts.

Del. 72 widening, McCoy Road to Del. 71

Project Description: This project will widen Del. 72 to four lanes, with bike lanes and sidewalks, and provide a center turn lane. These pedestrian improvements will enhance multi-modal transportation along the Del. 72 roadway by providing safety and operational improvements in the project area.

Project Phase: Construction

Construction Start Date: March 2019

Projected Construction Completion: 2024

Project Update: Construction for the utility relocation work began in March 2019 and was substantially completed in November 2021. Construction for the roadway contract is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2022. virtual public information update is available on the project web site, and additional information is available at SR72improvements.com.

U.S. 40 and Del. 896 Improvements

Project Description: The project will construct a grade-separated interchange to improve safety and reduce congestion. This intersection is in need of both safety and operational improvements. The U.S. 40 Corridor Monitoring Program shows large peak hour volumes and substantial congestion. Traffic conditions will likely deteriorate further with proposed development in the area.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: TBD

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: Design is progressing for Alternative 1. Advanced utility work may begin in 2023. The schedule of the road improvements may be adjusted to account for other projects occurring in this area

U.S. 40, Salem Church Road to Walther Road

Project Description: This project will provide an additional travel lane in each direction and multi-use paths on U.S. 40 from Salem Church Road to Walther Road. This project was identified as part of the Route 40 Corridor 20-Year Transportation Plan. The Plan was adopted on June 19, 2000 to detail highway, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian improvements that are, or will be, needed to address already planned growth and development and to enhance the quality of life in the Route 40 Corridor.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: 2023

Projected Construction Completion: 2026

Project Update: Design is ongoing and acquisition of right-of-way has begun.

Glasgow Avenue, Del. 896 to US 40

Project Description: The Glasgow Avenue project will implement a Main Street concept by reducing travel lane width, modifying shoulders, adding turn lanes and transit amenities, providing bicycle and pedestrian accommodation of both sides. Safety improvements at Old Country and Paxson Drive will also be included.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: 2026

Projected Construction Completion: 2027

Project Update: Project design began in early 2022. A public workshop is planned before the end of 2022.

School Lane Pathway

Project Description: The project proposes a 2,150-foot bike trail from Frenchtown Pike to School Lane within the city limits of New Castle. The path will act as a connector route to the Jack Markell Trail.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: 2023

Projected Construction Completion: 2023

Project Update: Design is underway.

U.S. 13, U.S. 40 to Memorial Drive Pedestrian Improvements

Project Description: The U.S. 13 corridor has incomplete accommodations for pedestrians and other non-motorized modes. The corridor has experienced accidents involving pedestrians and the need for improvements has been identified by various studies. This project will improve pedestrian facilities and safety along the U.S. 13 corridor.

Project Phase: Design and Planning

Projected Construction Start Date: 2020

Projected Construction Completion: 2025

Project Update: The project has been divided into several phases in order to expedite the overall implementation. Pedestrian facilities between Boulden Blvd and Rogers Rd have been completed as part of a pavement rehabilitation project in early 2021. The U.S. 13 Lighting project between Llangollen Blvd and I-495 was mostly completed in 2021. Some lighting that will be implemented by Delmarva Power is scheduled to be installed in Spring/Summer 2022. The U.S. 13 Median Treatment project is currently in design and we expect construction to start in early 2023. The U.S. 13 Paving & Pedestrian project between Llangollen Blvd and Bacon/Boulden Blvd is also in design and we expect construction to start in early 2024.

Neighborhood Repaving Projects

The Delaware General Assembly created a new program in 2019 to help repave more local neighborhood streets and ensure the safety of our community streets. The program prioritizes the worst-rated roadways with an emphasis on streets near schools, libraries, post offices and the entrances to neighborhoods.

The Joint Capital Improvement Committee dedicated a record $30 million toward the Subdivision Street Pavement Management Fund this year.

Here in the 12th District, a dozen neighborhood roadways are slated for repaving in the coming year, highlighted in red on the map:

  • Antrim – Coleraine Way from Kirkwood Street Georges Road to Glenshane Pass (West)
  • Beaver Brook Crest – Ferris Court from Dillon Drive to Cul-de-sac
  • Becks Woods – Banff Court from Yosemite Drive to Cul-de-sac
  • Fox Run – Pheasant Run from Deer Run to Cul-de-sac; Archer Way from Archer Place to Cul-de-sac; Pheasant Way from Pheasant Circle to Cul-de-sac
  • Glasgow Pines – Stewarton Court from Thornhill Drive to Cul-de-sac
  • Pinewoods – West Pompeii Drive from Road Begins -west Pompeii Drive to East Pompeii Drive; East Pompeii Drive from Pompeii Way to Cul-de-sac; Pompeii Way from Corsica Avenue to West Pompeii Drive
  • Wilmington Manor – Monroe Avenue East from Dupont Parkway to End; Jackson Avenue East from Dupont Parkway

Increasing Access to Mental Health Services

Friends and neighbors,

The need for accessible mental health care has never been greater.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated issues our state and nation were already experiencing: increased psychiatric-related ER visits, a lack of resources for our children and young adults, and a complex system for parents to navigate.

That’s why I am so proud and honored to have championed House Bill 303 in the Senate in support of the tireless leadership of Representative Valerie Longhurst in the House. With strong bi-partisan support, House Bill 303 along with House Bill 300 and House Bill 301 were recently signed by Governor John Carney at Sean’s House, a mental health safe haven for young adults.

Much like our health care plans allow us to see our primary care physician for an annual check-up, House Bill 303 will ensure insurance companies also cover an annual mental health wellness check for all Delawareans.

Managing mental health means being proactive and taking preventative measures. While you may not have a history of anxiety, depression, or any of the many mental health conditions that can affect us daily, life has a way of throwing unexpected situations at us, and we, as a state, need to have the resources available to help get our neighbors through those difficult situations.

Mental health conditions aren’t a sign of weakness. They can happen to anyone, at any stage of life. Getting an annual wellness check from someone who can evaluate your mental health should be a normal part of everyone’s healthcare.

Thank you to Representative Longhurst for introducing this package of bills to make Delaware a leader in mental healthcare.

While there is no quick fix for ending this mental health crisis, we are moving in the right direction with House Bill 303.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

State Route 72 – Public Workshop Wednesday 8/31/22

Friends and neighbors,

I am writing to inform you about an upcoming meeting to discuss a project in our area.

DelDOT is holding a public information session to update the public on construction for the proposed improvements on SR 72 between McCoy Rd and SR 71 in Bear, Delaware in New Castle County.

The Public Information session will be held on Wednesday, August 31 at the Wilbur Elementary School. The public is invited to attend at 5:30 p.m. for a video presentation followed by a question and answer session.

If you are interested in the project but are unable to attend the meeting, the video presentation can also be viewed at the project website link here: http://sr72improvements.com

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Thank you,

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

Legislative recap from the 151st General Assembly

Friends and neighbors,

The 151st General Assembly wrapped up just after midnight on June 30. It was a productive legislative session, with many major accomplishments for the people of the 12th District and for the entire state of Delaware!

Below, I will share with you a little more about what bills were passed down in Dover this session, as well as some important community updates.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Legislative Update

We secured some major wins for working families during the 151st General Assembly:

We focused on infrastructure, mental health, family health and protection of our children. Proudly, we passed SS2 for Senate Bill 1, which creates a 12-week paid family and medical leave insurance program.

Here’s a closer look at some of the legislation I championed during this session:

  • Chaired the Joint Capital Improvement Committee, which allocates over $1B annually to infrastructure and community projects, including over $2M for projects in the 12th District
  • Passed a package of legislation aimed at protecting our children against abuse, grooming, and sexual extortion
  • Increased access to mental health wellness checks and expanded mental health services in our schools
  • Championed the Delaware EARNS bill in the Senate, creating a public retirement savings plan
  • Tackled gun violence by supporting common sense gun laws

One of my biggest legislative priorities was the S.A.F.E. (Safety and Accountability for Everyone) package, which enhances measures to prevent child abuse from happening in schools and during after-school activities:

  • Senate Bill 289 expands the state’s sexual extortion law
  • Senate Bill 290 requires that prevention-focused training for school staff and education for students include discussions about “grooming”
  • Senate Bill 291 requires each school district and charter school to adopt a policy regarding appropriate and inappropriate relationships between students and school employees
  • Senate Bill 307 empowers the State to stop a predator who engages in certain conduct with the intent to entice, persuade, induce, or coerce a child into participating in a sexual act with the perpetrator

As the Chair of the Joint Capital Improvement Committee, I am pleased to report that we passed a record-setting $1.4 billion Capital Budget this June!

Every single project funded through the Capital Budget will help create good-paying jobs that will put Delawareans back work building new schools, new libraries and upgrading our world-class parks, while also providing clean drinking water, preserving farmland and open space, and supporting the towns and non-profits who provide the services our most vulnerable neighbors depend on.

Earlier this year, I was delighted to visit the DelTech campus in Wilmington alongside former State Senator Harris McDowell. The school has made some major renovations and now has a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Wilmington!

College is getting increasingly expensive for Delaware families. That’s why the SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) Scholarship program was started in 2005 by Sen. McDowell. This free-tuition program for Delaware graduates attending DelTech was expanded last year by my bill, Senate Bill 12, to include Delawareans of all ages who would like to pursue an academic degree or a workforce training certificate.

The SEED scholarship can be applied to an associate degree, diploma, credit certificate, bachelor’s degree, or workforce training program at DelTech. I encourage you to look into this as an option for you or a loved one to go back to school and earn a degree!

Community Updates

Please remember that as of July 1, plastic bags will no longer be provided at Delaware grocery stores. Be sure to remember your reusable bags when you go shopping!

Save the Date!
Dining in the Street
Thursday, September 8, 2022
6:00-9:00 p.m.

Don’t miss the Annual “Dining in the Street” event on Thursday, September 8, 2022 in Old New Castle. This event benefits the New Castle Senior Center, and the rain date is scheduled for Thursday, September 15th.

COVID-19 Update

Despite loosened restrictions, COVID-19 is still prevalent in our communities. Protect yourselves and your families by getting vaccinated and exercising caution.

Children 6 months and older are now eligible to be vaccinated. The Division of Public Health recommends parents contact their child’s pediatrician or family doctor or health care provider to find out if they are administering COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 6 months through 5 years. Visit https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/ for more information.

May 2022 Newsletter – Updates from Senator Nicole Poore

Friends and neighbors,

Spring is finally here, which means things are getting busier in Legislative Hall and across the 12th District.

In Delaware, our legislative session runs each year from the second Tuesday in January through June 30. To watch Senate proceedings live or recordings of previous votes, click here. To view daily Senate Agendas, click here. To view upcoming committee meetings, legislative session start times, and more, click here.

In this email, you’ll find information on legislation I sponsored, community news, and local resources.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Legislative Update

Protecting Delawareans from Sexual Predators

This month, I introduced the Safety & Accountability for Everyone (SAFE) package, a collection of bills that will help us better protect young people from child predators and help law enforcement better protect victims from sexual exploitation. In addition to SCR 74, the SAFE package includes SB 289, SB 290, and SB 291, with more to come soon.

Following several recent cases of sexual misconduct involving Delaware educators, this package could not be more timely.

Our communities rightfully expect schools to be sanctuaries where their children can learn and grow, safe from some of the most vile horrors that the world has to offer.

We can, and we must, do more to protect our children by preventing predators from being placed in positions of trust and making sure our school communities are able to intervene before it’s too late.

I want to thank my colleagues in the Delaware Senate for voting unanimously to pass all three bills I sponsored with Rep. Kim Williams and Rep. Krista Griffith. I also want to thank Attorney General Kathy Jennings, the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children and Rep. Valerie Longhurst for working with me to pass these important public safety measures.

SB 289, SB 290, and SB 291 are now awaiting consideration in the House.

Around the 12th District

Kalmar Nyckel

The Kalmar Nyckel will be sailing through Historic New Castle this summer!

Founded in 1989, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a non-profit educational organization that built, owns, and operates the Tall Ship of Delaware as a cultural and maritime heritage resource. The ship and foundation serve as catalysts for educational and community development in Delaware and beyond.

Local residents can embark on a 2.5 sail from the New Castle Pier on June 1-2 and select dates July 14-24. Schedules are weather dependent and are subject to change.

Click here for more information: https://www.kalmarnyckel.org/sail-and-explore.

Separation Day Festival

Separation Day is the annual celebration of Delaware’s independence from Pennsylvania and the British Crown. 2022 marks the 246th anniversary of arguably one of the longest running traditions in the state. This year, the Separation Day Festival will be from June 10-11 in Historic New Castle.

Friday night festivities includes music, food and drink in the center of town. Saturday kicks off with a Colonial-inspired parade. The middle of the day is filled with children’s rides, a vintage market, live music, beer garden and foods prepared by community groups. The day culminates with fireworks over the Delaware River.

Click here for more information: https://www.separationdayde.com.

Vet Fest 2022

The mission of Vet Fest is to provide an uplifting and educational day, bringing the military and civilian communities together to benefit our active duty and military families.

Vet Fest is a time to celebrate our family, friends, and neighbors in the military with a day filled with great music, laughter, and fun. This includes providing peer-to-peer networking, outreach from mental health groups, a showcase for military pride, and a display of gratitude. It also serves as a fundraising event for Stop Soldier Suicide.

Virtual Component: Friday, September 23 to Sunday, September 25

Live Event: Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Town of Whitehall, 801 Mapleton Ave., Middletown, DE 19709

Click here for more information: https://whitehallde.com/events/vet-fest/.

DelDOT Update

Cox Neck Road Repairs

The right-turn lane at the corner of Cox Neck Road and Route 13 in New Castle was in poor condition for too long, and became increasingly bumpy for drivers.

This month, DelDOT repaired the right-turn lane by paving this portion of the road.

Thank you to DelDOT for repairing this road quickly and for allowing drivers the ability to make a smoother and safer turn.

Roth Bridge (SR 1) Deck Repairs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District has stated replacing the concrete deck overlay on the Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge (SR-1) in Delaware. The repair work will require lane restrictions and changing traffic patterns, as well as single and double lane closures.

From June through September, northbound lanes will be closed nightly Monday through Friday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Southbound lane closures will occur daily from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Click here for more info