Commemorating Newark Toll Plaza highway speed lanes completion

NEWARK — Senator Coons joined Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt, Governor Jack Markell, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez and the rest of the Congressional Delegation at the I-95 Newark Toll Plaza Highway Speed Lanes Completion Ceremony.

Chris helped commemorate the completion of the toll plaza’s reconstruction, and the establishment of the highway speed E-ZPass lanes.  The $32 million project was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and was completed nearly a month ahead of schedule.  A major benefit of the project included the 300 construction-related jobs.

Chris spoke about the importance of I-95 as it passes through the First State.  He highlighted the fact that the highway plays a key role in boosting tourism, and that it makes Delaware more accessible for those who want to do business here.  Chris, who is on the Energy Committee, also pointed out that the addition of highway speed E-ZPass lanes eases congestion and therefore saves in fuel costs.

DelDot officials say the upgrades will significantly reduce traffic delays.  A toll collector is able to process about 250-300 transactions an hour while the highway-speed EZPass lanes can process over 2,000.