The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that the new US 301 mainline has opened to traffic on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

The 14 mile-long US 301 mainline will improve safety and reducing congestion with the bypassing of 29 at-grade intersections, 18 of which are signalized, and numerous driveways with direct access to existing US 301. The existing US 301 will be converted to a local roadway, with truck restrictions in place except for local services.

“Opening the new US 301 to traffic is an important milestone in what has been a decades-long effort to address the safety and congestion issues created by the existing roadway,” said Governor John Carney. “This new road will only enhance our economic development efforts for businesses that are looking to grow and move their goods around Delaware and beyond as efficiently possible.”

State Representative Quinn Johnson (D-Middletown) added, “As a more than 20-year resident of Middletown, I’ve seen firsthand the growth that has and continues to take place in and around Middletown. The entire community will benefit from the reduction in truck traffic on local roads and the economic opportunities that arise from new companies looking to locate in this area.”

“When I was Governor, my administration identified the Route 301 corridor as an area of future high growth, and that is certainly what it has become,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “This highway project, funded by a federal government loan that I was proud to support, will improve safety for motorists and residents, reduce traffic and help bolster commerce through this booming area.”

“The construction of the new US 301 is an example of why our country needs to invest in our infrastructure. The construction of the road put hundreds of Delawareans from the building trades to work on a project that will help Delaware’s economy, reduce congestion, and improve road safety,” said Senator Coons. “I’m grateful to then Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx for providing a federal loan for this project, and I’m proud to have worked with our delegation to support federal funding for a project that will positively impact the entire First State. I look forward to celebrating its completion.”

“The U.S. 301 project and its all-electronic tolling system are a testament to smart planning and forward-looking infrastructure projects that ease congestion and boost our economy,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “This state-of-the-art roadway accounts for increases in our population and is an investment in our future that improves safety and mobility throughout the region.”

“I would like to thank our contractors and subcontractors who worked through one of the wettest construction seasons on record to move this project forward, and it is impressive that less than three years after groundbreaking we are now putting traffic on the new US 301,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan. “Work will continue to complete the entire project in 2019, and we look forward to having a formal opening event to celebrate this project.”

The new US 301 mainline will be the first road in Delaware to use all electronic tolling, and tolling will be active upon the opening of the road with users paying via their E-ZPass or being billed in the mail. For two axle vehicles using E-ZPass and traveling the entire road, the toll is $4, and $5.60 for those without E-ZPass.  

Ground was broken for the US 301 project on February 5, 2016. The project is partially funded by a $211 million U.S. Department of Transportation loan that will be paid back through toll collections on the highway. The total cost of the project, including land purchases and the maintenance of a reserve fund, is estimated at $636 million.