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Author Topic: U.S. 301 toll road project in Delaware  (Read 152699 times)

jeffandnicole

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #50 on: August 06, 2015, 09:38:38 PM »

Regarding the 301 project: A lot of this project was designed prior to 2010. In the time since, AET has become the standard in tolling. When it is finally built, I don't see them building the cash lanes.

Regarding 95/Scudder Falls: There's already been some crying about the tolls. But realistically, there's no other way to rebuild that bridge without tolling it.

Regarding Route 1: That road is a long ways away from being paid off. Especially only charging a dollar per car during the week ($2 if they go the entire length), it probably never will be fully paid off.
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Alex4897

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #51 on: August 17, 2015, 04:24:45 PM »

Looks like we're getting incredibly close to the 301 toll road becoming reality.

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2015/08/17/us-loan-approved/31853827/

Quote
After decades of study, public uproars and financial breakdowns, the U.S. 301 toll road relief route now appears on track for a January construction start and opening as early as December 2018 — provided bids and borrowing costs meet forecasts.

Quote
Plans call for use of all-electronic tolls in a system that will rely on both EZ Pass transponders as well as a “pay-by-plate”  system that captures images of auto tags and bills drivers. Initially, cars would pay $4 and trucks $11 for a full-distance trip, with truck tolls accounting for an estimated 56 percent of revenues.
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Alex

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #52 on: August 17, 2015, 09:00:07 PM »

Looks like we're getting incredibly close to the 301 toll road becoming reality.

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2015/08/17/us-loan-approved/31853827/

Quote
After decades of study, public uproars and financial breakdowns, the U.S. 301 toll road relief route now appears on track for a January construction start and opening as early as December 2018 — provided bids and borrowing costs meet forecasts.

Quote
Plans call for use of all-electronic tolls in a system that will rely on both EZ Pass transponders as well as a “pay-by-plate”  system that captures images of auto tags and bills drivers. Initially, cars would pay $4 and trucks $11 for a full-distance trip, with truck tolls accounting for an estimated 56 percent of revenues.

About time. The sprawl of Middletown is not going to stop, so better to get this built now before it becomes too costly or before the NIMBY's gain a resurgence.

Alex4897

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #53 on: August 17, 2015, 09:53:28 PM »

so better to get this built now before it becomes too costly

This.  Middletown is only getting larger, and I have a hard time believing that the traffic counts are going to be as dire as they're (or at least delawareonline) trying to make it sound.  My only question at this point is whether Route 1 will be able to handle the added traffic from the new tollway, DelDOT has the current date for that project pegged at late 2018 - late 2019.
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jeffandnicole

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #54 on: August 17, 2015, 10:45:21 PM »

Looks like we're getting incredibly close to the 301 toll road becoming reality.

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2015/08/17/us-loan-approved/31853827/

Quote
After decades of study, public uproars and financial breakdowns, the U.S. 301 toll road relief route now appears on track for a January construction start and opening as early as December 2018 – provided bids and borrowing costs meet forecasts.

Quote
Plans call for use of all-electronic tolls in a system that will rely on both EZ Pass transponders as well as a “pay-by-plate” system that captures images of auto tags and bills drivers. Initially, cars would pay $4 and trucks $11 for a full-distance trip, with truck tolls accounting for an estimated 56 percent of revenues.

I think they are wayyyyyy overestimating the truck revenues. 

But, going back to the recent posts that showed the initial plans from about 2009, they clearly have abandoned the separate lanes for express EZ Pass and cash tolls.
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ChezeHed81

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #55 on: August 18, 2015, 01:55:44 PM »

One thing that I wish I could bring to the attention of DelDOT is this trailblazer assembly from the contractor's documents listed under the project website:


If the facility is to accept non-ETC account holders, the use of "ONLY" is contradictory, and doesn't match the direction as outlined in the MUTCD, page 244, paragraph 11.  According the the examples in Figure 2F-4 for guidance on trailblazers and Figure 2F-5 for guidance on larger guide signs, the option to accept non-ETC account holders means the the facility should be signed like a standard toll road because it is not exclusively for ETC account holders.  I don't have a problem with listing E-ZPass and "Pay By Mail", which are done in other states (see examples below), but at least the use of "ONLY" in this situation seems to be inappropriate.

The example set by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise for signing entrances to AET facilities where not every user is required to have an ETC account is among the best I've seen.  Another example that I like, is North Carolina's Wake [Toll]way entrance sign assemblies.  Maryland's ICC Entrance signage is okay, in that it's understandable, but it's not an apples-to-apples comparison since it's a "uni-sign".
« Last Edit: August 18, 2015, 03:25:13 PM by ChezeHed81 »
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jeffandnicole

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #56 on: August 18, 2015, 02:04:51 PM »

One thing that I wish I could bring to the attention of DelDOT is this trailblazer assembly from the contractor's documents listed under the project website:


DelDOT would do well to review the MUTCD, page 244, paragraph 11, as well as Figure 2F-4 and Figure 2F-5 for guidance on trailblazers.

The example set by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise for signing entrances to AET facilities where not every user is required to have an ETC account is among the best I've seen.  Another example that I like, is North Carolina's Wake [Toll]way entrance sign assemblies.  Maryland's ICC Entrance signage is okay, in that it's understandable, but it's not an apples-to-apples comparison since it's a "uni-sign".

Can you point out what is wrong with it as well?

I'm guessing it's the "EZ Pass ONLY" portion of the sign, since it's "EZ Pass or Pay by Mail".

If you give DelDOT a call via one of their numbers on their front page, you may be able to get routed to the correct department.  Or, since you have access to the contractor docs, there may be contact info there that you can use to let them know.
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ChezeHed81

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #57 on: August 18, 2015, 02:24:03 PM »

The documents I referenced are found here.  Each contract has its own signage sheets, and it seems that there are some Florida & Texas influences therein.  I like that they are using Annapolis instead of Bay Bridge as the destination.  That's new for the Eastern Shore.
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PHLBOS

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #58 on: August 18, 2015, 02:36:43 PM »

Personally, I would make the M4-20 (sans the ONLY banner since it's not accurate here) & GM-4 signs into one composite sign panel; especially since such toll collection methods are indeed being implemented elsewhere and will be used more frequently as time marches on.
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jeffandnicole

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #59 on: August 18, 2015, 02:40:37 PM »

The documents I referenced are found here.  Each contract has its own signage sheets, and it seems that there are some Florida & Texas influences therein.  I like that they are using Annapolis instead of Bay Bridge as the destination.  That's new for the Eastern Shore.

Since their contact info is there, you can probably send an email and let them know exactly what you mentioned above (with the reason why it was wrong!).
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Alex4897

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #60 on: August 18, 2015, 06:20:20 PM »

The documents I referenced are found here.  Each contract has its own signage sheets, and it seems that there are some Florida & Texas influences therein.  I like that they are using Annapolis instead of Bay Bridge as the destination.  That's new for the Eastern Shore.

Uncommon? Yes.
New? No.


https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6076031,-75.7430025,3a,15y,152.91h,97.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9ZoCtfwTEzez3AQ0vNoySA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
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MASTERNC

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #61 on: August 18, 2015, 09:23:16 PM »

The documents I referenced are found here.  Each contract has its own signage sheets, and it seems that there are some Florida & Texas influences therein.  I like that they are using Annapolis instead of Bay Bridge as the destination.  That's new for the Eastern Shore.

I looked at the signage for the interchange at DE 1.  It looks like US 301 will have variable speed limits like I-495.

Also, on the issue on toll signage, their bill by plate sign says:

"We Bill You With Toll By Plate"
"Subject to Admin Charges"
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D-Dey65

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #62 on: October 16, 2015, 11:54:36 PM »

I'd just be happy with the conversion of US 301 into a four-lane divided highway through the Maryland state line.
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elsmere241

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odditude

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #64 on: November 13, 2015, 05:00:03 PM »

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2015/11/13/funds-approved-us-301-toll-road-construction/75709768/
so US 301 is to be rerouted on this new alignment to terminate at DE 1, with the old alignment remaining DE 896 (and partially DE 71)?
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Duke87

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #65 on: November 30, 2015, 10:31:34 PM »

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2015/11/13/funds-approved-us-301-toll-road-construction/75709768/
so US 301 is to be rerouted on this new alignment to terminate at DE 1, with the old alignment remaining DE 896 (and partially DE 71)?

In theory, yes, but we'll see what AASHTO says.
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Alex4897

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #66 on: December 01, 2015, 12:05:30 AM »

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2015/11/13/funds-approved-us-301-toll-road-construction/75709768/
so US 301 is to be rerouted on this new alignment to terminate at DE 1, with the old alignment remaining DE 896 (and partially DE 71)?

-and DE 299 and DE 15.  I suppose the segment of road between the DE 71 split and the DE 299 / 15 intersection will go unnumbered unless they decide to jockey a lot of state routes around or sign it as a business route.
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Alps

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #67 on: December 01, 2015, 07:36:51 PM »

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2015/11/13/funds-approved-us-301-toll-road-construction/75709768/
so US 301 is to be rerouted on this new alignment to terminate at DE 1, with the old alignment remaining DE 896 (and partially DE 71)?

-and DE 299 and DE 15.  I suppose the segment of road between the DE 71 split and the DE 299 / 15 intersection will go unnumbered unless they decide to jockey a lot of state routes around or sign it as a business route.
I figured they'd sign some state highway over the part from US 301 to at least 71, if not 896.

Alex

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #68 on: December 02, 2015, 09:13:47 AM »

I figured they'd sign some state highway over the part from US 301 to at least 71, if not 896.

Given that DelDOT gave no designation to the former US 113 (Bay Road) in south Dover, I'd expect it to be left unnumbered.

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #69 on: December 02, 2015, 06:41:10 PM »

I figured they'd sign some state highway over the part from US 301 to at least 71, if not 896.

Given that DelDOT gave no designation to the former US 113 (Bay Road) in south Dover, I'd expect it to be left unnumbered.
I feel like that's different. 113 in Dover is a relatively minor route now that it has been bypassed. We're talking here about a short link of through road connecting two state highways. Both 299 and 71 turn onto/off of US 301 here - compare to Bay Road, which is a turn at US 13 and somewhat disconnected at DE 1.
Is it true or false that State Roads get a lesser degree of maintenance/funding than numbered highways? If it's false, then never mind, because I imagine the best thing to do with this route is sign it TO DE 71 northbound and TO DE 299 southbound. If it's true, then at least this should be a secret route (not that DelDOT is known for those). For one mile, and given their other odd designations around the state, I could see it signed as 71A.

Alex

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #70 on: December 03, 2015, 08:55:13 AM »

I figured they'd sign some state highway over the part from US 301 to at least 71, if not 896.

Given that DelDOT gave no designation to the former US 113 (Bay Road) in south Dover, I'd expect it to be left unnumbered.
I feel like that's different. 113 in Dover is a relatively minor route now that it has been bypassed. We're talking here about a short link of through road connecting two state highways. Both 299 and 71 turn onto/off of US 301 here - compare to Bay Road, which is a turn at US 13 and somewhat disconnected at DE 1.
Is it true or false that State Roads get a lesser degree of maintenance/funding than numbered highways? If it's false, then never mind, because I imagine the best thing to do with this route is sign it TO DE 71 northbound and TO DE 299 southbound. If it's true, then at least this should be a secret route (not that DelDOT is known for those). For one mile, and given their other odd designations around the state, I could see it signed as 71A.

The level of maintenance would be the same. Now that I look at it, a likely scenario is to reroute DE 71 off of North Broad Street and have it dog leg east from Middletown Warwick Road via Main Street back to South Broad Street. That would also eliminate a state route railroad crossing, where DE 71 currently branches off of US 301 at an acute angle.

mariethefoxy

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #71 on: December 03, 2015, 01:24:21 PM »

the non-numbered state roads in the bottom part of the state near Delmar appear to be in good condition, pavement is good, the road markings are good, the signs appear to be good. (it was some 500 series road with a tiny little marker on the pole thats holding up the Stop sign.)
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NJRoadfan

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #72 on: December 03, 2015, 03:55:49 PM »

Anyone care to guess what DE will number the spur to the Summit Point Bridge while we are at it?
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Alex

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #73 on: December 03, 2015, 05:43:53 PM »

Anyone care to guess what DE will number the spur to the Summit Point Bridge while we are at it?

Unnumbered like the Puncheon Run Connector? TO DE 896 north and TO US 301 south.

Alps

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Re: Re: Delaware
« Reply #74 on: December 03, 2015, 06:07:13 PM »

Anyone care to guess what DE will number the spur to the Summit Point Bridge while we are at it?

Unnumbered like the Puncheon Run Connector? TO DE 896 north and TO US 301 south.
Good point. If they can unnumber the Puncheon Run Connector, they can unnumber anything else they want. (dreams of the ALT 301 days)

 


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