The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has received a $7 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Georgetown East Gateway Project in Sussex County.

The project will construct a multi-modal improvements at the intersection of Route 9, Airport Road and Sandhill Road in Georgetown. Improvements will include roadway realignment, additional turn lanes, signal enhancements, pavement resurfacing, bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, transit stops, and lighting. The current projected cost is $14.6 million and is estimated to begin in spring 2020.  

“Improving infrastructure in Sussex County continues to be a priority, and Route 9 is one of our most heavily traveled east/west arteries,” said Governor John Carney. “This project will modernize and improve safety for all those traveling in and around our county seat of Georgetown.”

TIGER grants are fiercely competitive, and are awarded to projects that do more than just fix a problem, they enhance the community,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “As we have more people coming to Sussex County to enjoy our tax free shopping, world class beaches, and a great way of life, we will need to maintain and improve our infrastructure to keep up, and this TIGER grant - a first for Sussex County - will help us do just that.”

"This TIGER grant is a perfect example of how federal investment can help local communities. This funding will provide better access to the Delaware Coastal Airport, CHEER Center and future development of the area while ensuring motorists in Sussex County will have safer travel to their homes and work,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. "It’s time to build more of these needed projects in America to help repair our aging infrastructure, get new projects off the ground, and get Americans back to work."

“The continued investment into Delaware’s roads and infrastructure is not only necessary to ensure our roadways are paved and free of hazards such as potholes, but also in keeping Delaware’s infrastructure modern and up to date with the latest technology and engineering,” said Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. “This new TIGER Grant funding will allow the Delaware Department of Transportation to deliver the Georgetown East Gateway project several years earlier than expected, while supporting roadway resurfacing and realignment improvements. Once completed, the Georgetown project will ease traffic flow, enhance roadway lighting, and add additional turn lanes and bike lanes to the area.”

“DelDOT identified this existing intersection for significant pedestrian and traffic improvements as part of our Hazard Elimination Program. We are very excited to receive this federal grant that will help us deliver this needed project for Sussex County,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

“Sussex County is pleased to see DelDOT and the federal government’s investment in the Georgetown East Gateway project.  The US 9/Airport Road/Sandhill Road intersection serves as a critical link in the local transportation system, and is the main entrance to the Delaware Coastal Airport and the County’s Emergency Operations Center. Unfortunately, over the years, this intersection has become a confusing, inefficient, and, frankly, frustrating mess.  We believe the TIGER grant will assist in improving access to both eastern Georgetown and the County’s facilities at the airport - which is greatly needed - and make travel to, from and through Georgetown much easier for our local and visiting motorists.” said Sussex County Administrator Todd F. Lawson.