February 2016
WILMAPCO Meetings

All meetings are open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held in the WILMAPCO Conference Room.

Feb 3, 3 p.m.

Public Workshop
February 3, 5-7 p.m. open house, 7 p.m. presentation and group discussion at Archmere Academy

Feb 8, 10 a.m.

Feb 11, 10 a.m.

Feb 11, 1 p.m.

Feb 18, 10 a.m.

Public Workshop
Feb 24, anytime from 4-7 p.m. at Newark Free Library

Feb 29, 7 p.m.

WILMAPCO will be closed on Feb 1st for Lincoln's Birthday

WILMAPCO will be closed on February 15 for Presidents Day

In case of inclement weather, please call (302) 737-6205, or toll free from Cecil County at (888) 808-7088 for cancellations or postponements.

For updates or more information on upcoming WILMAPCO meetings, please visit www.wilmapco.org
  Like us on Facebook
WILMAPCO E-News 
Transportation news and events from the
Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO). 
WILMAPCO News
car graphic
WilmTAPWilmington Initiatives Public Workshop
Please join us for an Open House Public Workshop on Thursday, February 18 in the lobby of the City/County Building, 800 French Street, Wilmington. Attendees are welcome to stop by anytime between 4 and 7 p.m., to learn more about the exciting projects below. 

Christina River Bridge:
This project proposes to construct a new crossing over the Christina River to add another access point to the Wilmington Riverfront attractions and to improve access to US 13, I-495 and I-95. Updates will include the final alignment, proposed extension of S. Madison Street, and project schedule.
 
Transportation Alternatives Program:
The TAP program emphasizes the development and implementation of a variety of projects that highlight cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the transportation system. Information will be available for the following TAP projects in Wilmington:
  • 9th Street Enhancements, Phase II
  • 11th Street Enhancements
  • Brandywine South Pedestrian & Trail Improvements
  • City of Wilmington Bicycle Improvements
  • Concord Avenue Streetscape Improvements, Phase II
  • Old Brandywine Village Streetscape Improvements
  • Southbridge Streetscape Improvements, Phase II
To learn more, please visit:
www.wilmapco.org/wilmignton-initiatives

TIPComments sought on region's proposed transportation projects
WILMAPCO is encouraging public comment on projects proposed for the FY 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP identifies $2.2 billion in transportation projects funded during the next four years, and includes roadway, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit improvements.
 
WILMAPCO and DelDOT will hold a public workshop on Wednesday, February 24 at the Newark Free Library (750 Library Avenue, Newark, DE) to present information about planned improvements. Attendees are invited to stop by anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. to review and discuss projects with WILMAPCO and DelDOT staff. Major projects scheduled to start construction in FY 2017 include:
  • Christina River Bridge - will build a new multi-modal bridge over the Christina River to add another access point to the Wilmington Riverfront and improve access from US 13, I-495 and I-95.
  • Industrial Track Greenway Phase III - will build the final link in a pedestrian and bicycle route connecting City of New Castle and Wilmington.
  • Newark Regional Transportation Center - will build an improved train station in Newark with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant platforms, expanded parking, and significantly improved passenger amenities, including a station building with bathrooms.
Written comments should be sent to WILMAPCO at 850 Library Ave, Newark, DE 19711, emailed to wilmapco@wilmapco.org or faxed to (302) 737-9584. Comments can also be made online at www.wilmapco.org/tip.

NcampNorth Claymont Area Master Plan Public Workshop
You are invited to participate in a public workshop for the North Claymont Area Master Plan on Wednesday, February 3, at Archmere Academy (3600 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont). Drop by any time between 5 and 7 p.m. to meet with the planning team, review displays about existing conditions, and provide feedback on preliminary goals for the project. At 7 p.m., join us for a presentation and discussion to define and prioritize a vision and goals for the area's future. The North Claymont Area Master Plan will examine future land use, transportation, and economic development strategies for the area, which includes the Tri-state Mall and former Claymont Steel Mill. Feedback from the workshop will be used to define alternatives for future analysis.
Learn more: www.wilmapco.org/ncamp 

Local News
walker
SEPTASEPTA transit officers now wearing body cameras
According to PhillyVoice.com, "SEPTA Transit Police began wearing body cameras at the beginning of the year.  The $400,000 program, approved by the SEPTA Board in July, equips all 289 SEPTA Transit officers with Digital Ally First VU body cameras. The decision to equip the officers was made following a pilot program in which 15 officers tested cameras from 10 different vendors. The pilot program began in July 2014."

National News
train
BTSBTS Releases Pocket Guide to Transportation 2016  
According to a Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) release, "BTS has published the Pocket Guide to Transportation 2016 . The 19th annual Pocket Guide covers data on moving people and goods, system use and performance, the economy, safety, infrastructure, and the environment. This free guide can also be obtained by contacting BTS by phone at 202-366-DATA, by e-mail at answers@dot.gov or by mail sent to Bureau of Transportation Statistics, ATTN: Product Orders, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Room E34-457, Washington, D.C. 20590."  
 
FundingHighway Funding Made Simple - You Use It, You Pay For It 
According to Huffingtonpost.com, " If you use it, you pay for it.  As every consumer knows what you pay is directly proportionate to what you use. It's the same concept federal policymakers relied on in 1956 when they created the federal gas tax to fund the Highway Trust Fund that built America's highways. But then something happened: Somewhere along the line, lawmakers put the gas tax on ice. In fact, Congress has not increased the gas tax since 1993. If that tax, currently 18.4 cents per gallon, had been indexed to inflation, which it is not, it would be nearly 33 cents today. Congress's most recent surface transportation bill, signed into law in December, once again leaves the gas tax untouched-and instead draws billions of dollars of funding out of the federal government's general fund. This shifts the burden of maintaining our highways onto all taxpayers, and moves away from the 'user pays' approach that has been in effect since 1956."

Budget
President's FY17 Budget Proposal Includes Nearly $4 Billion for Automated Vehicles
 
According to Washington Newsline, "During his final State of the Union address, President Barack Obama made reference to putting tens of thousands of Americans to work 'building a 21st century transportation system.' U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the Administration's plans include a 10-year, nearly $4 billion investment to accelerate the development and adoption of safe vehicle automation. The Administration promised to work with industry leaders to ensure a common multi-state framework for connected and autonomous vehicles."