U.S. 301 toll road project in Delaware

[Tonytone]

It's opening tomorrow: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/01/09/u-s-301-mainline-set-open-thursday-after-morning-rush-hour/2523420002/

I'm going to try to head up there on Saturday morning to make a video if I can.

Evidently DelDOT predicts openings the same way Windows predicts the time file copying takes.

Thats not nice [emoji23][emoji23], windows fixed that problem years ago.


iPhone

[jeffandnicole]

Within the article:

Truck tolls are expected to account for an estimated 56 percent of revenues.

How?  Is there that much trucking traffic in that region?  The articles talk mainly about all the residential growth in the area, but is completely silent when it comes to the vehicles that are supposed to be the primary source of revenues!

[ipeters61]

Within the article:

Truck tolls are expected to account for an estimated 56 percent of revenues.

How?  Is there that much trucking traffic in that region?  The articles talk mainly about all the residential growth in the area, but is completely silent when it comes to the vehicles that are supposed to be the primary source of revenues!

Page 57 - PDF Page 63 (if you look under the US-301 archived documents on the DelDOT site, you can find these under "Traffic and Revenue Reports"): https://www.deldot.gov/information/projects/us301/us301Archive/pdfs/US301_T_R_Report.pdf

EDIT Not only is there a lot of passenger car traffic in the Middletown region, but there's a huge boom in commercial development too (which of course comes with massive residential growth).  They also have an Amazon warehouse that opened in Middletown a few years ago.

[cl94]

Something I can't find anywhere - will the E-ZPass rate apply to out-of-state passes, or will I be hit with the video toll rate when I drive this thing on Saturday?

[ipeters61]

Something I can't find anywhere - will the E-ZPass rate apply to out-of-state passes, or will I be hit with the video toll rate when I drive this thing on Saturday?

I know DelDOT doesn't have separate charges for out of state E-ZPass on DE-1 (and even applies discounts for shorter trips on DE-1), you just wouldn't qualify for their frequent users program (I have a PA E-ZPass and drive on DE-1 all the time).  So I'd guess US-301 would be the same way.

[froggie]

It's opening tomorrow: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/01/09/u-s-301-mainline-set-open-thursday-after-morning-rush-hour/2523420002/

I'm going to try to head up there on Saturday morning to make a video if I can.

Maybe consider waiting for a weekend where it's not expected to snow? 😊

[ipeters61]

It's opening tomorrow: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/01/09/u-s-301-mainline-set-open-thursday-after-morning-rush-hour/2523420002/

I'm going to try to head up there on Saturday morning to make a video if I can.

Maybe consider waiting for a weekend where it's not expected to snow? 😊

Just checked the weather and I think it'll be okay.  The snow's not supposed to start until 4-6pm in Middletown or Dover.  It's only a 30 minute drive to it for me to the expressway.

[jeffandnicole]

Something I can't find anywhere - will the E-ZPass rate apply to out-of-state passes, or will I be hit with the video toll rate when I drive this thing on Saturday?

I know DelDOT doesn't have separate charges for out of state E-ZPass on DE-1 (and even applies discounts for shorter trips on DE-1), you just wouldn't qualify for their frequent users program (I have a PA E-ZPass and drive on DE-1 all the time).  So I'd guess US-301 would be the same way.

Correct.  He's trying to read into info that's not there.  There's simply going to be an EZ Pass rate and a non-EZ Pass rate.  If the rate were to differ based on residency, that would've been mentioned.

[cl94]

Correct.  He's trying to read into info that's not there.  There's simply going to be an EZ Pass rate and a non-EZ Pass rate.  If the rate were to differ based on residency, that would've been mentioned.

That is what I figured, but a few states in the Northeast quietly removed out-of-state discounts. When NY first started discriminating, there was nothing clear online showing that the discount doesn't apply to non-NY accounts. Even today, you have to read a footnote to know that the E-ZPass rate doesn't apply to non-NY tags at the TBTA crossings.

[Tonytone]

They removed the 301 banners from the BGS in the glasgow area, but, when the spur is built; isnt that considered 301 or will it be signed as 896?


iPhone

[Roadsguy]

They removed the 301 banners from the BGS in the glasgow area, but, when the spur is built; isnt that considered 301 or will it be signed as 896?

The response I got from DelDOT was that the spur is expected to just be signed as a long ramp: To US 301 South and To DE 896 North.

What I really find interesting is that not only did those 301 shields in Glasgow say To US 301 and the reassurance markers only refer to 896, but in the old Street View you can see "To US 301 North" pointing east on US 40. I know US 301 officially ran unsigned from Glasgow to I-295 via US 40, but was it signed recently enough to appear on those new-ish signs, and if so, why the "To"?

I disagree with covering up "To US 301 south," though. That will still probably the quickest way from there to 301, and will especially be so when the spur road is built. It also makes the "To" there actually correct.

[ixnay]

Within the article:

Truck tolls are expected to account for an estimated 56 percent of revenues.

How?  Is there that much trucking traffic in that region?  The articles talk mainly about all the residential growth in the area, but is completely silent when it comes to the vehicles that are supposed to be the primary source of revenues!

Page 57 - PDF Page 63 (if you look under the US-301 archived documents on the DelDOT site, you can find these under "Traffic and Revenue Reports"): https://www.deldot.gov/information/projects/us301/us301Archive/pdfs/US301_T_R_Report.pdf

EDIT Not only is there a lot of passenger car traffic in the Middletown region, but there's a huge boom in commercial development too (which of course comes with massive residential growth).  They also have an Amazon warehouse that opened in Middletown a few years ago.

Enough development that DART First State launched bus service to and within Middletown/Odessa.

http://www.deldot.gov/map/index.shtml?tab=DARTBusStop

ixnay

[ipeters61]

I disagree with covering up "To US 301 south," though. That will still probably the quickest way from there to 301, and will especially be so when the spur road is built. It also makes the "To" there actually correct.

I'd imagine that it's to alleviate confusion between the old 301 (now just 896/71) and the new 301.  Remember, most people aren't thinking of the "To" part of "To US-301" even though it is technically incorrect (for the next 45 minutes).

Within the article:

Truck tolls are expected to account for an estimated 56 percent of revenues.

How?  Is there that much trucking traffic in that region?  The articles talk mainly about all the residential growth in the area, but is completely silent when it comes to the vehicles that are supposed to be the primary source of revenues!

Page 57 - PDF Page 63 (if you look under the US-301 archived documents on the DelDOT site, you can find these under "Traffic and Revenue Reports"): https://www.deldot.gov/information/projects/us301/us301Archive/pdfs/US301_T_R_Report.pdf

EDIT Not only is there a lot of passenger car traffic in the Middletown region, but there's a huge boom in commercial development too (which of course comes with massive residential growth).  They also have an Amazon warehouse that opened in Middletown a few years ago.

Enough development that DART First State launched bus service to and within Middletown/Odessa.

http://www.deldot.gov/map/index.shtml?tab=DARTBusStop

ixnay

Also, I imagine a lot of commercial traffic headed from Philadelphia/NYC/points north and east to the Eastern Shore of Maryland (and possibly Annapolis/Baltimore/Washington as an alternate route) is heading down US-301.  The new expressway eliminates that bottleneck of Middletown (though I'd imagine they'd still be stopping there).

[Beltway]

Also, I imagine a lot of commercial traffic headed from Philadelphia/NYC/points north and east to the Eastern Shore of Maryland (and possibly Annapolis/Baltimore/Washington as an alternate route) is heading down US-301.  The new expressway eliminates that bottleneck of Middletown (though I'd imagine they'd still be stopping there).

This completes a nice route that is expressway grade or higher, between Washington and south, and Wilmington and north; and which bypasses the Baltimore area.

[MASTERNC]

DelDOT camera on DE 1 aimed at the new US 301 sign - looks like the tarp is about to come off

[1995hoo]

DelDOT camera on DE 1 aimed at the new US 301 sign - looks like the tarp is about to come off

Heh. The question is whether they're removing it or the wind is removing it whether they like it or not!

[ipeters61]

DelDOT camera on DE 1 aimed at the new US 301 sign - looks like the tarp is about to come off

Heh. The question is whether they're removing it or the wind is removing it whether they like it or not!

The wind's pretty intense here, so I wouldn't be surprised if the wind was removing it!  I heard that DelDOT would start opening the southbound lanes first, so that could be it too.

EDIT - Looks like the sign tarp is slowly being removed.  The 301 shield was just revealed.  The News Journal has some first photos of the opening: https://www.delawareonline.com/videos/news/local/2019/01/10/u-s-301-toll-road-opens-thursday/2535646002/

[MASTERNC]

No traffic showing on any of the new 301 cams but the one at the weigh station shows northbound traffic crawling, meaning they might be setting up the opening.

The DelDOT release says thru trucks will be restricted from the old route, so they are counting on truck tolls to fund this.

https://www.deldot.gov/About/news/index.shtml?dc=release&id=7467

[Roadsguy]

No traffic showing on any of the new 301 cams but the one at the weigh station shows northbound traffic crawling, meaning they might be setting up the opening.

The DelDOT release says thru trucks will be restricted from the old route, so they are counting on truck tolls to fund this.

https://www.deldot.gov/About/news/index.shtml?dc=release&id=7467

They've done a good job on all the signs I've seen so far.

Interestingly, one of the route markers in that video has the toll banner below the direction: "South TOLL US 301" instead of "TOLL South US 301." I think this order makes more sense, coupled with people calling it "Toll 301" akin to the "PA Turnpike XX" routes in southwest PA, or the tolled part of NC 540 and 147 which NCDOT treats as separate routes on signage.

[The Ghostbuster]

I hope when the toll road opens, someone gets pictures of US 301's new northern terminus for usends.com. They have already updated the location of 301's new terminus.

[cl94]

I hope when the toll road opens, someone gets pictures of US 301's new northern terminus for usends.com. They have already updated the location of 301's new terminus.

I'll get SB pics on Saturday.

[Alex4897]

I'll hopefully be driving the corridor both directions tomorrow, I'll record both passes and upload them to YouTube.

[sprjus4]

No traffic showing on any of the new 301 cams but the one at the weigh station shows northbound traffic crawling, meaning they might be setting up the opening.

The DelDOT release says thru trucks will be restricted from the old route, so they are counting on truck tolls to fund this.

https://www.deldot.gov/About/news/index.shtml?dc=release&id=7467

I imagined plenty of truckers are pissed about this - any of them heading up US 301 are forced to pay a toll or break the law.

That besides the point, it's a nice highway.

[Roadsguy]

No traffic showing on any of the new 301 cams but the one at the weigh station shows northbound traffic crawling, meaning they might be setting up the opening.

The DelDOT release says thru trucks will be restricted from the old route, so they are counting on truck tolls to fund this.

https://www.deldot.gov/About/news/index.shtml?dc=release&id=7467

I imagined plenty of truckers are pissed about this - any of them heading up US 301 are forced to pay a toll or break the law.

That besides the point, it's a nice highway.

Is it known if the restrictions exist north of the new Exit 5, the current best route to the Summit Bridge?

[sprjus4]

No traffic showing on any of the new 301 cams but the one at the weigh station shows northbound traffic crawling, meaning they might be setting up the opening.

The DelDOT release says thru trucks will be restricted from the old route, so they are counting on truck tolls to fund this.

https://www.deldot.gov/About/news/index.shtml?dc=release&id=7467

I imagined plenty of truckers are pissed about this - any of them heading up US 301 are forced to pay a toll or break the law.

That besides the point, it's a nice highway.

Is it known if the restrictions exist north of the new Exit 5, the current best route to the Summit Bridge?

I don't know, but I wouldn't imagine so. I think it's from the Delaware State line to that point, basically detouring traffic away from Middletown. The only issue with that again though, is forcing a $10 toll on a truck who has no option to avoid it.