Archive for the ‘Weather Related Notices’ Category

Delaware Prepares For Hurricane Sandy

Friday, October 26th, 2012

 Delaware Department of Transportation         NEWS RELEASE

DelDOT Public Relations                                                 October 26, 2012

Contact: Jim Westhoff, Public Relations

Desk – 302-760-2160;  Mobile – 302-943-3589; james.westhoff@state.de.us


DelDOT is preparing for a possible major storm

Across Delaware, crews are working to minimize any possible traffic hazards if the storm strikes the area.

Dover – The men and women of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) are spending today doing all they can to prepare for the possibility of a major storm striking Delaware, and many will be working over the weekend to ensure the state’s transportation system is as secure as possible.  Below are bullet points detailing their efforts:

 DelDOT storm preparation activities 

  • Maintenance crews are clearing storm drains of brush and debris along major roads that are prone to flooding.
  • Construction crews have begun removing un-needed equipment that could become a problem during the storm.  This includes traffic cones and barrels. They are doing this to eliminate any possible hazards resulting from high winds. 
  • In Sussex County near the beaches, crews and contractors are removing a number of overhead signs (a list of those locations is below).
  • Crews are also securing temporary traffic signs at construction locations, so these will resist being blown over by wind.
  • DelDOT is requesting that political campaigns do what they can to remove political signs along state roadways prior to the arrival of the storm; especially large signs that may become airborne.
  • If wind speeds reach a sustained 40 mph, DeDOT will begin pulling its forces off state roads.  If winds reach a sustained 50 mph, DelDOT will begin closing major bridges throughout the state. 

 Construction projects this weekend 

  • Work on the Route 1/I-95 interchange will proceed as planned this evening, but will be suspended tomorrow morning.
  • Repaving work on some lanes on I-95 will proceed tonight as planned.
  • The planned closing of I-95 at the Route 202 will not take place this weekend as previously announced.  The work will be rescheduled for a future weekend.
  • Other than in special circumstances, such as the previously described work on I-95 and RT 1, DelDOT contractors typically don’t work during the weekends. 

 DART and Paratransit

  • DART First State operates in all three counties in Delaware, and is preparing for a possible storm event for next week.  A special management personnel matrix has been developed to insure adequate staff coverage. 
  • Paratransit customers are urged to stay tuned to weather reports and be prepared for service interruptions should weather conditions deteriorate. 
  • If a State of Emergency is declared, fixed route and paratransit service will be suspended.   However, if such a declaration occurs mid-day, DART will continue to operate as long as safe road conditions and resources permit.  In the event of any service interruption, DART will issue Rider Alerts to riders who subscribe to the service, and to the media. 
  • DART Operations employees are considered essential personnel and DART maintains a list of operators who can be readily available for extra duty.
  • Customers should stay tuned to Rider Alerts, DART’s website and local media for further updates

  Bridge Safety

  • DelDOT’s bridge staff is gearing up for inspection operations throughout the state. Both DelDOT and DNREC are lowering water levels at various dams to reduce the threat of flood waters.

 Indian River Inlet Bridge and Route 1 at the beach

  • Beach and dune erosion remains an ongoing concern for Route 1 throughout the inlet area. However, the new approach roads to the Indian River Inlet Bridge are approximately 100 feet further west than the approaches to the old bridge.  
  • Due to probable flooding and / or high winds, it is likely that Route 1 from Dewey to Bethany Beach, including the Indian River Inlet River Bridge, will be closed at some point during the storm.

 Tolls

  • All state toll roads are operating as usual and there are no plans to waive tolls at this time.

 Closures after the storm

  • Once the storm is over, some roads and bridges may remain closed due to concern for their safety.  The public is instructed not to remove DelDOT barricades on any roads and bridges, even if flood water subsides.  These closures are necessary because they must be inspected and possibly repaired prior to reopening.

 List of overhead signs being removed in Sussex County:

As a precautionary measure, DelDOT crews and contractors are removing 12 large, span-wire overhead signs in Sussex County.

  • This work is scheduled to start Saturday morning and continue throughout the day until all of the identified large signs have been removed.
  • The span wires and flashing lights will remain in place.
  • In most cases, only the right shoulders will require lane closures that will last 30 minutes or less per sign.
  • While we understand that there are multiple overhead span wire signs, these were deemed the most critical as they are located along the state’s coast line and are the largest in nature:
  •  
    • Milford — Route 1 & Argos Corner –southbound and northbound lanes
    • Milton — Route 1 & SR 5 (Milton –southbound and northbound lanes
    • Route 1 & Nassau Park Road (north of Five Points) –southbound and northbound lanes
    • Route 1 & Shady Road (Rehoboth) – southbound and northbound lanes
    • Route 1 & Rehoboth Ave.  – Fire Signs southbound and northbound lanes
    • Route 1 & South Rehoboth Avenue  - Overhead Guide Signs-southbound only
    • Route 1 & South Rehoboth Avenue– Overhead Guide Signs—southbound only 

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Road Work Continues – Road Conditions Improved

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) crews continued working through the morning and into the afternoon, to clear roads of snow and ice from the overnight storm, and prepare for colder temperatures that will change conditions for motorists tonight.  Overall, conditions are improved from this morning’s commute.

In DelDOT’s North District (I95 and North), primary roads are wet, and some primary roads may still have some snow cover, but are passable, while secondary roads may be snow covered.  Full staffs remain at work, with 77 plows on the road and over 110 people at work.  Primary roads, bridges, bus routes and toll plazas are being salted and plowed.  In DelDOT’s Canal District (south of I95 to Kent County), primary roads have less than an inch of snow on them, while all other roadways remain covered.  More than 75 vehicles are on the road, with approximately 110 people on duty.  Primary roads, bridges, bus routes and toll plazas are being salted and plowed.

The Central District (Kent County) maintenance area reports that primary roadways are wet and some may still have a light amount of snow on them.  Secondary and other roads are snow covered.  Over 80 vehicles remain on Kent County roads, with nearly 120 people on duty.  Primary and secondary roads, bridges, bus routes and toll plazas are being salted and plowed.  Roads in Sussex County have been treated.  Primary roads are reported to be dry.  Salting is occurring as needed.

Some transit services remain affected in New Castle County where Bus Route 17 is not going into Holloway Terrace. 

The speed limit on I-495 has been increased to 55 MPH; and restored to 50 MPH on the Delaware Memorial Bridge.  

Since the start of this most recent storm on Wednesday, DelDOT crews have placed nearly 8,900 tons of salt on the road, with over 7,000 of that total used in New Castle County.  An additional 284 tons of a salt/sand mixture were placed in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Motorists should continue to exercise extreme caution when driving today, and be on the watch for hazards such as icy patches, snow covered roadways, downed tree limbs and power lines.  This afternoon’s commute may also present problems as temperatures drop and wet areas re-freeze.

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DelDOT ready for changing conditions

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Crews from the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) continue to work on roadways in some portions of the state, as the department mobilizes its response to changing weather conditions.  Additional crews are on stand-by and can be recalled if needed.

In DelDOT’s North District (I-95 and North) and Canal District (south of I95 to Kent County), primary roadways are mostly wet; however secondary roads are wet with some locations snow covered.  All other roads in the northern part of the state are reported covered with as much as one inch of snow.  Crews continue salting primary and secondary roads.

The Central District (Kent County) maintenance area reports that all roadways are wet, with some reported as slushy.  Primary and secondary roads are being salted as needed.  Further south (Sussex County), roadways are wet as the precipitation there has been in the form of rain.

Rail and Transit systems are operating normally.  The speed limit on I-495 has been reduced to 45 MPH, and has been dropped again on the Delaware Memorial Bridge, now posted at 35 MPH.  Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices, normally open late on Wednesdays, closed at 4:30pm at three of four locations…Wilmington, New Castle, and Dover.  The DMV office in Georgetown will remain open until 8pm.

Weather conditions will be changing statewide this evening as temperatures drop and the precipitation turns to snow statewide.  DelDOT crews will continue to respond as weather conditions change.  The National Weather Service is forecasting major storm that will have lightning and thunder associated with it.  Snow forecasts for tonight call for an additional six inches in New Castle County.  Kent County could see another three to four inches of snow, with two to three more inches in Sussex County, with lighter accumulations along the coast.

Snow may be heavy at times tonight, so motorists are reminded to use extreme caution.  High winds will cause drifting and reduced visibility from blowing snow, as well.  Residents of coastal areas need to be aware of the possibility of tidal flooding, particularly during high tide tonight.  Inland winds could gust up to 35 MPH, and gusts to 45 MPH in coastal areas.  The winds should die down toward morning, but motorists need to be on the watch for other hazards such as flooded streets, or downed tree limbs and power lines.

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DelDOT crews at work – monitoring conditions

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

The precipitation expected to impact Delaware began throughout the state earlier than expected.  Department of Transportation (DelDOT) crews are at work, and are responding as needed in different parts of the state.

 In DelDOT’s North District (I95 and North) and Canal District (south of I95 to Kent County), primary roadways are mostly wet; however some primaries and all other roads are reported as snow covered.  Crews are salting primary and secondary roads.

 The Central District (Kent County) maintenance area is reporting that all roadways are wet, with some said to be slushy.  Primary and secondary roads are being salted as needed.  Further south (Sussex County), roadways are wet as the precipitation there has been in the form of rain.

Rail and Transit systems are operating normally.  The speed limit on I495 has been reduced to 45 MPH, and has been dropped to 40 MPH on the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

 DelDOT crews will continue to respond as weather conditions change.  The National Weather Service continues to forecast “significant snow” later today and tonight for the northern portions of the state and precipitation this evening should change over to snow, accumulating 4-8 inches.  Similar changes in precipitation are expected downstate with an accumulation of 3-6 inches of snow in central Delaware, and 1-3 inches in the southern portion of the state.

 Precipitation could be heavy at times throughout the day, and in northern portions of the state may include a mix of rain, sleet, or snow.  Motorists should use caution and adjust speeds according to conditions.

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