HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

140th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27

RELATING TO CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION COMMITMENTS BY THE STATE OF DELAWARE ON BEHALF OF THE ASTRAZENECA PROJECT.

WHEREAS, AstraZeneca is set to move forward with its development plans for the property known as the "Blue Ball Triangle"; and

WHEREAS, such development will result in the generation of new jobs within the State of Delaware and the retention of existing jobs; and

WHEREAS, such development will provide significant private construction investments; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware and New Castle County have worked cooperatively together on the AstraZeneca project for the common goal of enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of the State; and

WHEREAS, these quality of life enhancements will result in the planning and implementation of highway transportation improvements, the preservation of open space for public recreation and conservation of natural resources, the development and maintenance of state park lands and greenway corridors, and historical preservation; and

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 140^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that the State of Delaware makes the following transportation commitments on behalf of the AstraZeneca project:

1. The roadway concept plan developed by the joint public process and approved by the Governor and the County Executive will be designed and constructed, as proposed. All roadway alignments and connections shown in the concept plan will be maintained in the final project design. Only modifications to ensure safety or to minimize or avoid impacts to environmentally sensitive areas will be permitted in the final design. However, no change will be made to the concept that will result in a degradation of the Level of Service as committed by New Castle County and as defined in the Department of Transportation’s response to the AstraZeneca Traffic Impact Study; and
2. To accommodate the growth projected by AstraZeneca, the Department of Transportation will complete Phase 1 ITMS improvements and Phase 1 transit improvements by the end of Fiscal Year 2002. All roadway construction improvements will be complete by the end of Fiscal Year 2007. The Department will prepare construction contracts and advance them to construction in the most efficient manner possible. Contracts should be prepared and staged to minimize disruption to the existing traffic flow; and
3. The construction schedule will be as follows:

Enhanced ITMS and transit improvements

Phase I Advertised 2001

Completed 2002

Phase 2 Advertised 2002

Completed 2003

Roadways on Westside of US Route 202 (Except SR 141 Spur Road)

Advertised 2002

Completed 2003

Roadways on Eastside of US Route 202

Advertised 2003

Completed 2004

Utility Relocation Contract(s)

Advertised As needed

US Route 202 Improvements

Advertised 2004

Completed 2005

Route 141 Spur & Childrens Drive

Advertised 2005

Completed 2006

US Route 202, I-95 Southbound Ramp through Broom Street

Advertised 2006

Completed 2007

4. This schedule assumes the following project components are completed in a timely manner in order to maintain the proposed advertisement and construction schedule:

1. Completion of real estate acquisition by others to meet project schedules;
2. Issuance of all applicable federal, state and county permits to meet project schedules;
3. Completion of utility relocations with appropriate private and public companies in a series of roadway projects;

1. Periodic workshops will be held to present status reports on project design.
2. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the State will authorize the funding for the entire project in the Fiscal Year 2001 Bond and Capital Improvements Act. These funds will remain committed to this project. Federal Funds may be substituted for the State Funds, if the project becomes eligible for Federal Funds without jeopardizing the construction schedule outlined in #2 above.

This Act commits the State to certain transportation projects and an associated construction schedule related to the AstraZeneca project.