I hope you and your families are getting through the nationwide COVID-19 response in good health and good spirits.
In the meantime, I still want to send around DelDOT updates for Senate District 12. If you have any questions or comments on this update, the Coronavirus, or any other local issue, please don’t hesitate to email them to me at Nicole.Poore@delaware.gov.
Median Barrier Replacement Will Require the Closure of Left Lane on US 13 Southbound — Route 71
Location: US 13 Southbound, at Route 71/Red Lion Road, Bear.
Dates and Times: 8:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Now until May 15, 2020, pending weather.
Traffic Information: DelDOT announces to motorists that the left lane on US 13 southbound will be closed to motorists for the removal of the deteriorated concrete barrier wall and replacement with a combination of new barrier wall and guardrail. All southbound lanes will be open each day for evening rush hour.
Please use caution in this area and slow down in the work zone.
Here’s some good news for folks waiting for Hyetts Corner Road to reopen: A previous update had estimated the road would reopen sometime in October, but it sounds like things are moving ahead of schedule and the road should be open by the end of the month!
Here’s the most recent update from DelDOT:
“The contractor working on Hyetts Corner Road has informed us that they plan to open the road on September 30, 2019. They will be reaching out to the St. George’s Vo-Tech School to inform them of the revised scheduled opening as they had originally told the school they were expecting to have it reopened by September 20, 2019. The reason for the delay is due to getting their diamond grinding subcontractor to come in sooner and grind the bridge decks. We will update you if there are any further changes to the schedule.”
Thank you and, as always, let me know if you have any questions about this project or any other issue in your community. Nicole Poore Senate Majority Leader 12th District nicole.poore@delaware.gov (302) 744-4164
The Department of Transportation will be making improvements to the roundabout at Howell School Road beginning Monday, June 10, 2019 at 7:00 a.m. and is anticipated to reopen by 9:00 p.m. on July 2, 2109, pending weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Howell School Road will be alternating one lane traffic under flagger control 24/7 for the duration of the work.
Robert Peoples Boulevard will remain open during construction with a flagger controlling the intersection. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays in the area.
At all times, the public will have access to Lums Pond State Park.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of service to you or your family.
The past couple of months have been a whirlwind. New legislation, committee hearings, events in our district and across our state, and this week’s return to session have kept me busy as your state Senator. Before we gear up for another week of exciting legislation, I’d like to share a few of the highlights from the past couple of months with you.
The 150th General Assembly convened on January 8th. I was named the chair of the Elections, Government and Community Affairs Senate Committee, vice chair of three committees, and a member of three additional committees. In the second week of session, our caucus celebrated the addition of the Equal Rights Amendment to our state constitution. We are now focused on the upcoming vote on legislation I have co-sponsored, Senate Bill 25, and House Bill 47 (see below).
Take a moment to read about the important moments for our district, and as always, do not hesitate to reach out to my legislative assistant, Taylor Hawk, at taylor.hawk@delaware.gov with any concerns, questions or comments you may have.
Sincerely,
Nicole Poore Senator, 12th District
Committee Assignments
Senate Committee assignments for the 150th General Assembly:
Elections, Govt. & Community Affairs, Chair
Executive, Vice Chair
Labor, Vice Chair
Health & Social Services, Vice Chair
Veterans Affairs
Rules & Ethics
Legislative Council
Emergency Notification System
The February 3rd fire at the Delaware City refinery needs to be a wakeup call to all of us: to PBF, to DNREC, and to the General Assembly. It certainly was for me. As I sat with mayor Green and got updates from first responders as they rushed to (and into) the scene, I was reminded of the necessity of preparation and effective teamwork. Many of us in state government have sat through emergencies like the one this past weekend before. Some things remain the same – most obviously and importantly, the courage and professionalism of our police officers and firefighters.
But some things have changed, too. Most alarmingly, we are having a much harder time getting the word out to residents during an emergency. In an increasingly post-landline world, reaching people with hyper-localized emergency notifications and instructions is becoming a higher and higher hurdle to effective emergency response. This News Journal excerpt really drives the point home:
“Her only real concern, she said, was that she didn’t get a robocall telling residents about the situation, likely because she has a cell phone instead of a landline. Delaware’s Emergency Notification System, the primary method used to give Delawareans information about emergencies such as the fire, is set up to send reverse 911 calls to local landlines. But people who rely on cell phones or have unlisted numbers need to manually register for notifications.”
I’ve made this ask in the past, but want to ask for your help again tonight in getting the word out about the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS). If you primarily use a cell phone, you need to opt-in for these absolutely critical emergency notices. To do so, please click the link below and fill out the form with your address and cell phone number.
This week, I stood alongside Gov. Carney, my colleagues in the General Assembly and students throughout the state to support legislation that would raise the legal smoking age to 21.We owe it to our children to put their health first and I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of this important legislation.
Senate Bill 25, sponsored by Sen. Townsend and Rep. Minor-Brown proposes an amendment to Delaware Code which would prohibit the sale of tobacco products, or tobacco substitutes to people under the age of 21 in our state. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the State of Delaware.Teens are at a heightened risk for the negative side effects of nicotine, because of the state of their brain development. Additionally, the growth of alternative tobacco products, such as JUUL, vapes, and more, it is imperative that we consider the health costs, and concerns that stem from these products and the impact they will have on the young people in our state, for years to come.
Equal Rights Amendment
My statement on the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment:
“This is an incredibly historic moment for our state and it is a a unique honor to be able to vote yes on HB 1 today. From the 126th GA to the 150th, the fight for an Equal Rights Amendment has been long and at times difficult. But for my daughter, and for the many women that will call this state home in future generations, I will forever be proud of the work we have done to raise gender equality to the highest law of the land in Delaware.”
Thank you to the primary sponsors of HB1, Sen. Hansen and Rep. Longhurst.
For more information on the ERA, please see our special edition newsletter: https://conta.cc/ 2FH7Vi5
To see more photos from the ERA rally and passage, click here.
Streetlight Reporting System
Don’t get left in the dark!
Delmarva’s online, self-service map tool allows residence a convenient, quick way to report an outage in their area. The map allows you to select the exact light, leave contact information, and a brief message (if needed).
Residents can also report a streetlight issue by calling the Delmarva Power Customer Care Center at 1-800-375-7117.
Training Wage Round-table
The Central Delaware Chamber of Congress’ Leadership Central Delaware Government & Politics Day featured a round-table on the Youth and Training Wage, which passed at the very end of last year’s session. I appreciated the opportunity to participate in important dialogue on this issue as well as the opportunity to speak with guests about my role as a co-sponsor on HB47, a bill to restore the minimum wage for new employees and employees under 18.
Women & The Law
I was honored to be a part of the “Women in Charge — Women Leading with Authenticity” Panel last weekend. It is always empowering to sit alongside great Delaware women like Superior Court Judge Mary Miller Johnston, Rep. Valerie Longhurst, Attorney General Kathy Jennings, and moderator Kathi Karsnitz.
The chance to share my experiences with such an incredibly powerful group of women at the Delaware State Bar Association’s 27th Annual Women and the Law Retreat was a real privilege. As we said on the panel, we’re all in this together, which is why it’s so important for women to stand united as we lead our state forward.
Upcoming Event:
DelDOT Public Workshop SR 9 /SR 273 Delaware Street Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements
What: A public workshop to review and comment on the proposed railroad crossing improvements on Delaware Street/Ferry Cut Off, from 8th Street to the intersection at Delaware Street. This Railroad Crossing Safety Improvement project will include railroad crossing replacement, railroad crossing signal and gate upgrades, signing and striping, ADA compliant sidewalks and crossings at the railroad,traffic signal upgrades and pavement overlay within the project limits. Also included in the project is the proposed closure of 8th Street between Delaware Street and Tremont Street. This workshop will also provide information on the overall project and schedule
When: Monday, March 18, 2019 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: New Castle Elementary School, 903 Delaware Street New Castle, DE 19720
If you live or travel in our area regularly, there’s an important update from DelDOT regarding a road closure beginning next week.
DelDOT has announced that McCoy Road will be closed between Wrangle Hill Road and Kirkwood St. Georges Road in Middletown beginning Monday, October 1 and ending November 29 (weather permitting).
Motorists are advised to detour via Red Lion Road between Wrangle Hill Road and Kirkwood St. Georges Road.
I will pass along any updates that I receive on this project. As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
TRAFFIC ALERT: SR 72 south of intersection with US 40 down to one lane in each direction starting Thursday
For those of you living in or traveling through the Bear area regularly, I want to make sure you see this update from DelDOT a week before work gets started.
DelDOT sent out a press release yesterday announcing a project that is going to impact travel along SR 72 just south of the intersection with US 40 until next Summer. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on SR 72 from Del Laws Rd. up to the entrance to the Fox Run shopping center.
This is part of a larger project that will make significant changes to the US 40 corridor, starting with the intersection with SR 72.
Additional Details
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces to motorists that on Thursday, September 20, 2018 starting at 10 AM until 4 PM there will be a traffic switch. All traffic on SR 72/Wrangle Hill Road from Del Laws Road to Rue Madora/Fox Run Circle to the western side of the road will be shifted. A single lane will be maintained in each direction. This next phase allows the contractor to widen the roadway on the eastern side; install drainage; and relocate utilities. This phase will remain in place until mid-June 2019.
This project involves reconstructing the intersection of US 40 and SR 72 to provide an additional through lane along each SR 72 approach, as well as providing double left-turn lanes along each US 40 approach. The project will also realign the intersection of Del Laws Road and provide a new traffic signal at that intersection. This project is part of the US 40, Maryland State Line to US 13 program. The project is anticipated to be completed by late March 2021.
The overall construction locations:
SR 72/Wrangle Hill Road/Sunset Lake Road from 1000’ south of Del Laws Road to GBC Drive
US 40/Pulaski Highway from Rickey Boulevard to Broadleaf Drive.
The US 40 Corridor is expected to experience worsening congestion and safety problems due to planned growth. The corridor has minimal accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists. These improvements are needed to address operational problems at the intersections.
SECTION OF BOYDS CORNER RD TO CLOSE FOR WEEKEND WORK MAY 18-21
FYI for everyone who takes Boyds Corner Road: DelDOT will be closing a section of that road next weekend starting on Friday May 18th at 7:00 PM. The closure will affect East-West travel between Routes 301 and 13, North of the MOT area. I’m copying DelDOT’s press release below. Please adjust your travel plans/routes accordingly!
Delaware Department of Transportation Traffic Alert – For Immediate Release Office of Community Relations
Installation of Storm Drain Pipes Will Require a Portion of Boyds Corner Road to be Closed.
WHEN:7 PM on Friday, May 18, 2018 until 5 AM on Monday, May 21, 2018, pending weather.
WHERE: Boyds Corner Road closed between Cedar Lane Road and Emerson Road, Middletown.
WHAT: As part of the Jamison Corner Road project, DelDOT’s contractor Mumford & Miller Concrete Inc. will be closing a portion of Boyds Corner Road for the installation of two storm drain pipes.
Detour Route: US 301/Summit Bridge Road to Marl Pit Road onto US 13. Detour signage will be posted for motorists.
Committee Assignments
