Extending Wyoming Road eastward to connect with Marrows Road has been a long-time priority for the City of Newark, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the University of Delaware, and the Delaware Technology Park (DTP).  Through an innovative design and construction approach, in which the Delaware Transportation Institute played an instrumental role, this section of roadway was recently completed ahead of schedule.

        To be able to grow and to produce additional positive economic impacts to Delaware, the Delaware Technology Park required completion of the roadway between Library Road (Route 72) and Marrows Road. Although the project was in the capital improvement program for the state, conventional approaches to its programming, design, and construction would have taken until at least late 1999 for completion, if not longer.  In late 1997 and early 1998, the Delaware Transportation Institute, serving as a liaison between DTP and DelDOT, was able to help identify and implement a project-delivery mechanism in which the Delaware Department of Transportation would turn over funds to DTP for the design and construction of the roadway section.  DTP, which had undertaken preliminary engineering activities with its consultant, Tetra Tech, was poised to complete the design activities much sooner than would have been done using DelDOT’s design staff, who were already working on other priority projects for the state.  The Delaware Budget Council approved the use of this innovative project-delivery mechanism because of its perceived benefit to the state, through an earlier completion of the project and possible overall cost savings.

        All roadway design and construction was completed in accordance with DelDOT standards.  The project was bid in Summer 1998, and construction was initiated shortly thereafter.  The roadway was opened to traffic in early 1999, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state officials, legislators, University personnel, and others (Figure 1).  The completion of the roadway not only allows additional building activity on the DTP property, it provides a much-needed link between Library Road and Marrows Road.  This link provides an alternative to vehicles that were using the College Square shopping mall parking lot as a shortcut.  The project includes sidewalks and bikeway facilities, thus encouraging nontraditional modes of travel in addition to automotive travel.

        The project, which demonstrated initiative and cooperation among DelDOT, DTP, and DTI, is performing well and has been a winning situation for all parties involved (Figure 2).