Facebook  Twitter  Flickr  YouTube  RSS Feed

Route 54 Project – Updates

Written on: April 25th, 2012 in Route 54

April 13, 2012 –  DelDOT will perform weekend work on April 14 and April 15 . This work is to perform paving operations and will require daytime lane restrictions on April 14 and 15.  DelDOT will be working in earnest to complete as much work as possible before the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Also, DelDOT is working with the contractor to establish a work schedule that will likely increase the number of hours worked Monday through Friday, and may involve some additional weekend work according to weather and project requirements.  The potential to accelerate the construction schedule was discussed today with local legislators and business owners on Route 54. As part of these discussions, DelDOT agreed to provide weekly updates as the project draws to a close.

“Our goal remains to balance the wishes of local residents who want the project finished as quickly as possible with those of some business owners who  are sensitive to the impact weekend work has on their customers,” said Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt.  “We will try to avoid the use of lane restrictions unless absolutely necessary, bring road surfaces to a smooth condition as quickly as we can, and have the project as near to completion as possible before the Memorial Day holiday weekend, if not sooner.  Again the objective is to maximize daylight work hours now so that we do not impact traffic Memorial Day weekend and beyond.”

April 20, 2012 – Key Points from Route 54 Public Meeting – Wednesday, April 18, 2012

If you were able to attend out meeting, we thank you for taking time to do so.  If you were unable to attend due to business commitments, we understand.   The following is an overview of the key points that were presented at the meeting:

• Established goal for business owners, the community and DelDOT to have the Route 54 Improvement Project substantially complete by the Wednesday before Memorial Day.  The goal for the next few weeks is to complete curbing, entrance and paving work including  three levels of payment and roadway striping, so that traffic is in its final configuration. 
• Construction staff is working with the contractor and the hot-mix supplier to extend work hours and work weekends for the next several weeks to maximize productivity in support of the goal.
• In addition, DelDOT is having conversations with the Vice President of the current asphalt company to increase the probability that paving asphalt will be available as needed.  DelDOT is also working to secure another source (as backup) of asphalt.
• If weather or material supply impact the schedule and the contractor is only permitted to place two levels of asphalt, DelDOT and the contractor are working on contingency plan to open up the road in its final traffic configuration prior to Memorial Day weekend, and come back later  to complete the final layer of paving.
• In response to several issues raised during the meeting, DelDOT will increase monitoring of the job site overall, including the contractor’s workforce, in an effort to improve the conditions on the project during these last few weeks.
• DelDOT will initiate weekly updates (via email and phone) with key business owners along the corridor and ask them to help us educate the community on the path forward.  Press releases will be done as needed to keep general public informed.
• When we reach the second week of May, DelDOT will make an assessment of progress and the work schedule  to determine what activities remain and whether we can complete the work by the Wednesday before Memorial Day or if we will have to suspend work and come back later to complete the job.

For more information, please visit the project page.