School Board Elections are on Tuesday, May 10

Friends and neighbors,

Delaware’s school board elections are right around the corner!

Any resident, so long as they are a U.S. citizen and 18 years or older, is eligible to vote in the May 10 election. You can find out which school district you live in at https://gis.elections.delaware.gov.

For more information about voting in the school board elections, please click the links below:

Thank you,

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

Community listening session: LogistiCenter℠ at New Castle County

Friends and neighbors,

A community information session about the “LogistiCenter at New Castle County,” the proposed logistics park at Jamison Corner Road and U.S. 301, will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022.

The meeting, being held by Dermody Properties, will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Bayberry North Lake House, located at 210 North Bayberry Parkway, Middletown, DE 19709. You are welcome to drop in at any time that evening to learn more about the project.

Pre-registration to attend is required. Please use this link to register for the meeting.

To learn more about this project, visit https://dermody.com/logisticenter-at-new-castle-county/.

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

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 $1.35 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 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

Update on Major DelDOT Projects in the 12th Senate District

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

Project Description: This project will improve Boyds Corner Road to four, 12-foot-wide lanes with 10-foot-wide shoulders and a 20-foot-wide median, using a combination of open and closed drainage systems, and building a 10-foot multi-use path on each side of the roadway.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: 2028

Project Update: Design is underway. This project is part of the Southern New Castle County Transportation Improvement District.

Cedar Lane, Marl Pit Road to Boyds Corner Road

Project Description: This 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

Projected Construction Completion: 2028

Project Update: Design work currently on hold.

Dragon Run Tide Gates Replacement

Project Description: Replacement of tide units

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: Fall 2023

Project Update: Design is underway.

Lorewood Grove Road, Jamison Corner Road to Del. 1

Project Description: This 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

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.

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

Project Description: 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: Planning

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, McCoy Road to Del. 71

Project Description: Widen Del. 72 to four lanes, with bike lanes and sidewalks, and provide a center turn lane.

Project Phase: Construction

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.

Del. 9/Delaware Street (N-055) Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements

Project Description: This project in the City of New Castle will replace the existing hot mix at-grade crossing surface on Del. 9/Delaware Street, perform drainage improvements at the crossing, close Eighth Street at Delaware Street and improve both the railroad and roadway signals to improve safety, visibility and meet current standards. The closure of Eighth Street will prevent vehicles from stopping on the tracks while making turns and remove an intersection that is too close to the tracks.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: The proposed detour of Del. 9/Delaware Street will make use of Moores Avenue, Boulden Boulevard, DuPont Highway, and I-295. A public workshop was held in 2018 and meetings with the Town Council have been held in 2018 and 2019. Initial meetings were held with emergency management services but will continue as the project schedule gets closer.

St. Georges Streetscape Phase III

Project Description: The project will provide streetscape improvements along Broad Street within the town. Improvements to include repaired/replaced sidewalk, curb and curb ramps and improved signage.

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: Fall 2021

Project Update: The project is substantially complete.

U.S. 40/Del. 72 Intersection Improvements

Project Description: Reconstruct and widen the intersection of U.S. 40 and Del. 72 to provide operational and safety improvements.

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: Fall 2021

Project Update: The project is substantially complete.

U.S. 40 and Del. 896 Improvements

Project Description: Construct a grade separated interchange to improve safety and reduce congestion.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: 2026

Project Update: Design is underway for Alternative 1. A live virtual public workshop was held on September 22, 2020. Workshop displays are available on the project website.

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

Project Description: Provide an additional travel lane in each direction and multi-use paths on U.S. 40 from Salem Church Road to Walther Road.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: 2025

Project Update: Design is underway. The proposed improvements were presented at a virtual workshop from May to June 2020. Workshop materials are still posted on the project website for those who were unable to attend.

Bridge Painting New Castle County, Del. 1 Overpasses

Project Description: Paint nine bridges along the Del. 1 corridor and one along Del. 71 in New Castle County. These include: Del. 72 over Del. 1, Kirkwood Street/Georges Road over Del. 1, Del. 1 over U.S. 13 (Tybouts Corner), Lower Twin Lane Road over Del. 1, Bayview Road over Del. 1, Del. 299 over Del. 1, Paddock Road over Del. 1, northbound Del. 1 over U.S. 13 (N. Smyrna), southbound Del. 1 over U.S. 13 (N. Smyrna), and Broad Street over Deep Creek (just north of St. Annes Church Road).

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: Fall 2022

Project Update: The project was awarded to Allied Painting Inc. and is expected to start in early April 2022. Late evening/night-time single-lane closures will be required on Del. 1 to set up and break-down platforms as required.

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

Projected Construction Completion: 2027

Project Update: Project design began in early 2022. Survey work and other field work is ongoing. A public workshop is planned before the end of 2022.

School Lane Pathway

Project Description: This project will include the design and construction of a bike/pedestrian facility along School Lane from Del. 273 to an intersection point with the Pennwood development.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: 2023

Project Update: Design is underway.

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

Project Description: Improve pedestrian facilities and safety along the US 13 corridor.

Project Phase: Design

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 Boulevard and Rogers Road have been completed as part of a pavement rehabilitation project in early 2021. The U.S. 13 Lighting project between Llangollen Boulevard and I-495 was completed in 2021. Some of the lighting is not yet operational due to electrical service issues, which should be resolved soon. The U.S. 13 Median Treatment project is currently in design and DelDOT expects construction to start in late 2022. The U.S. 13 Paving & Pedestrian project between Llangollen Boulevard and Bacon/Boulden Boulevard is also in design and we expect construction to start in late 2023.

March 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 regular legislative session runs each year from the second Tuesday in January through June 30. To watch Senate proceedings live or if you want to come back later to watch recordings of past proceedings, 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

Around the 12th District

The annual atTAcK addiction “E-Racing the Stigma” 5K/Rally happened again this year on March 5. Over 2,000 runners and walkers participated to raise awareness about addiction. It’s an honor for this incredible event to take place in the 12th District.

Last weekend, the Delaware Rare Action Network celebrated Rare Disease Day. This was another milestone in our awareness campaign.

While we are starting to see things getting back to normal after the pandemic, many advocacy organizations and community groups are still meeting virtually.

Last month, I toured the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Delaware with Representative Kim Williams at their Wilmington location. The CAC aims to reduce the devasting long-term effects that child abuse has on children, their families and society through immediate, coordinated, child focused services, education, and advocacy.

It was truly eye opening to see the CAC in-person. Thank you to Randy Williams and everyone at the CAC for welcoming us and teaching us more about what they do each day to help children in Delaware.

The deadline for organizations to submit applications for the FY23 Community Reinvestment Fund is May 15, 2022.

Eligible applicants include county and local governments, community-based nonprofit organizations, and private sector nonprofit organizations.

Please direct any questions to the Office of the Controller General at 302-744-4200 or send an email to Bond_Public_Comment@delaware.gov.

Legislative Update

Far too many student athletes have experienced some form of abuse from a coach or trusted adult in an athletic setting — what’s worse, there isn’t always an easy way to report the incident. That’s why I introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 74, which encourages Delaware sports organizations to utilize the services and best practices recommended by the U.S. Center of SafeSport.

I am proud to say that SCR74 passed the Senate unanimously.

Over the coming weeks, I will be introducing the Safety and Accountability for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) package, a series of bills designed to protect our children in their classrooms, after school activities and beyond. These bills will target codes of conduct, sexual exploitation on social media, and grooming tactics.

Rock Your Socks Day

For many years now, I have been proud to sponsor the resolution recognizing March 21 as Rock Your Socks Day.

It was so great to be back in person to celebrate alongside my colleagues, Governor Carney, and the families of children with Down syndrome in Legislative Hall!

COVID-19 Update

Delaware’s State of Emergency has come to an end, for the time being.

With COVID-19 cases falling back to numbers not seen since August, Governor John Carney recently announced that the mask mandate for K-12 schools, school buses and childcare facilities has been lifted as of Tuesday, March 1.

Vaccine and testing requirements for educators and state employees also expired on March 1, and the mask requirement in most state facilities has been lifted.

The end of the mask mandate for schools, childcare facilities and state buildings is consistent with new masking guidelines issued by the CDC at the end of February: https://bit.ly/3M9HjGh

DelDOT Update

DelDOT is set to begin phasing in a speeding enforcement on I-95 through the construction zone in the City of Wilmington.

All vehicle owners that exceed the posted speed limit of 45 MPH will receive a base fine of $20 with an additional amount added for each mile per hour over the posted work zone speed limit, plus additional fees in accordance with state law.

The program stems from a spike in crashes that occurred along the I-95 work zone in Wilmington in 2021. There were 423 crashes in the I-95 work zone in Delaware last year, an increase of 49% in the same area from 2019.

Please drive safely and be sure to leave extra time in your commute.

Roth Bridge (SR 1) Deck Repairs

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

In April and May, northbound two-lane closures will occur daily from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Southbound two-lane closures will occur daily from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. There will be no northbound lane closures during the week from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and no southbound lane closures during the week from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be single lane closures on both northbound and southbound lanes at all other times.
Use a picture of the Roth Bridge again like the email blast.

Bridge Painting New Castle County, SR 1 Overpasses

DelDOT will begin painting nine bridges along the SR 1 corridor and one along SR 71 in early April. Late evening/night-time single lane closures will be required on SR 1 to set up and break down platforms.

Dragon Run Tide Gates Replacement

Project Description: Replacement of tide gates.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: Fall 2023

Project Update: Design is underway.

SR9 Delaware Street (N-055) Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements

Project Description: This project in the City of New Castle will replace, in-kind, the existing hot mix at-grade crossing surface on SR 9 / Delaware Street, perform drainage improvements at the crossing, close Eighth Street at Delaware Street and improve both the railroad and roadway signals to improve safety, visibility and meet current standards. The closure of Eighth Street will prevent vehicles from stopping on the tracks while making turns and remove an intersection that is too close to the tracks.

Project Phase: Design

Projected Construction Completion: TBD

Project Update: The proposed detour of SR 9 / Delaware Street will make use of Moores Avenue, Boulden Boulevard, DuPont Highway and I-295. A public workshop was held in 2018 and meetings with the Town Council have been held in 2018 & 2019. Initial meetings were held with emergency management services, but will continue as the project schedule gets closer.

Army Corps to conduct repairs on SR-1 Bridge in Delaware

Friends and neighbors,

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District will be replacing the concrete deck overlay on the Senator William V. Roth, Jr. Bridge (SR-1) in Delaware beginning March 14 and ending in December 2022. The repair work will require lane restrictions and changing traffic patterns, as well as single and double lane closures.

In March, northbound two-lane closures will occur daily from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Southbound two-lane closures will occur daily from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Single lane closures will take place both northbound and southbound between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

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

February 2022 Newsletter – Updates from Senator Nicole Poore

Friends and neighbors,

As my colleagues and I prepare to go back into the legislative session in a few weeks, I want to share a few community updates with you.

In this email, you’ll find information on legislation I sponsored, community projects, 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

Behavioral Health Crisis Care Task Force

Delaware faces a real behavioral health crisis –particularly among our young people, which began long before the pandemic.

For far too long, our state was not equipped to address this crisis in a meaningful and comprehensive way, which lead to serious consequences for our health care system, criminal justice system, and our economy. It is crucial that we take this opportunity to provide better services and resources for those struggling with mental health issues.

That’s why Rep. Val Longhurst and I formed the Behavioral Health Crisis Care Task Force to bring together mental health and substance abuse experts, health care providers, law enforcement officers, emergency responders and people on the frontlines of this crisis everyday to find better solutions that produce better outcomes for people in crisis.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1. Read more about our work and how you can attend the next meeting here: https://bit.ly/3dvN5C8

DelDOT Update

Boyds Corner Road Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements

Project Description: This project involves the reconstruction of the existing highway at-grade railroad crossing to improve the surface and improve rideability. The project will replace the existing railroad crossing surface, install drainage improvements and updated roadway striping, perform sidewalk modifications, and install new railroad warning signals.

The current schedule will close Boyds Corner Road at the Delmarva Central Railroad crossing beginning at 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, weather pending. The roadway is scheduled to be re-opened by 10 p.m. Thursday, March 24.

Detour signs will be posted in the area. The westbound detour will direct traffic onto Cedar Lane Road to Marl Pit Road to Summit Bridge Road back to Boyds Corner Road. The eastbound detour will direct traffic onto Summit Bridge Road to Marl Pit Road to Cedar Lane Road back to Boyds Corner Road.

Click here for more info

Del. 72 Improvements

Project Description: This project will reconstruct deteriorating pavement, widen Del. 72 to increase traffic capacity and operations, add pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities, and improve safety. The posted speed limit will be reduced from 50 mph to 45 mph, the travel lane widths will reduce from 12 feet to 11 feet, and curbing is proposed on both sides of Del. 72 to promote traffic calming.

Project Timeline: Improvements will begin in March and are expected to be completed by Summer 2024.

Click here for more info

Historic New Castle Restaurant Weekend

Head to Historic New Castle for the inaugural Historic New Castle Restaurant Weekend! Each of the participating restaurants will offer a three-course dinner each day from 5-10 p.m. Click here for more information.

Investing in Our Nonprofits

Community Reinvestment Fund

Our community of nonprofits are invaluable partners in the state’s continuous efforts to provide critical services to our fellow Delawareans. As co-chair of the bipartisan Joint Capital Improvement Committee, I have been working hard to make sure Delaware is supporting them, just as they have supported Delaware.

That’s why my fellow co-chair Rep. Debra Heffernan and I launched a formal application process for nonprofits, community organizations and other groups to seek state grants for projects that will help improve the economic, cultural, historical and recreational health of Delawareans.

Click here to read more about the Delaware General Assembly’s Community Reinvestment Fund grant program: https://bit.ly/3BtY4Hu

New Castle County Property Reassessment Project Update

Friends and neighbors,

As a result of a Delaware Chancery Court ruling in 2020, property values throughout our state are being reassessed for the first time in decades.

Here in New Castle County, data collectors are now in the process of updating property assessments to more accurately reflect current values. In September 2021, data collectors started conducting field inspections in some of the neighborhoods in our district, including Bayview Manor and other neighborhoods in New Castle. This January, they began conducting field inspections in Delaware City, Red Lion, Wrangle Hill, and Bear neighborhoods.

To check if there is a data collector currently in your area, contact the County Assessment Office at (302) 395-5520 or click here.

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

Upcoming NCC Planning Board Hearing

Friends and neighbors,

Two major development plans in Southern New Castle County will be considered during a New Castle County Planning Board Virtual Public Hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

The proposed plans include a Bayberry Town Center Plan rezoning request from Suburban to Suburban Transition Zoning on the land located behind New Covenant Church in Middletown and a plan for a 1.4 million sq. ft. logistics center located between the community of Bayberry North and the Town of Whitehall.

The Planning Board Public Hearing agenda, information on accessing the hearing on Zoom, and links to the proposed development plans can be accessed by clicking here.

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

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 1/10/2022

Friends and neighbors,

The winter surge of COVID-19 is stretching our local hospitals past the point of their capacity.

To help slow the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Gov. John Carney today announced Delawareans will be required to wear masks in public spaces, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, 1/11/2022. This includes stores, restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos, malls and hair salons. Houses of worship are exempt. No indoor capacity limits are being set at this time.

The governor on Monday also announced plans to extend the existing mask mandate for schools and child care facilities beyond Feb. 8 while steps are being taken to bolster the ranks of school staff by allowing recently retired teachers to return as substitutes.

Finally, the governor is deploying 70 additional members of the Delaware National Guard to help with non-clinical operations inside local hospitals statewide, starting Tuesday.

More than 300 members of the Delaware National Guard are assisting with COVID-19 response efforts – including support at vaccination and testing locations, help with PPE distribution, and hospital assistance. Roughly 110 members of the Guard – separate from the 70 members deployed on Monday – are training to serve as certified nursing assistants in health care settings statewide to take pressure off hospital systems.

Please do your part by wearing your mask in public places and getting vaccinated.

Vaccination remains the strongest protection against COVID-19. Click here to get yours.

Delawareans over the age of 12 who received their second shot over 6 months ago are encouraged to get their booster shot. Click here to find out where to get your booster.

Thank you,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12