SPONSOR:	Sen. Bunting;
	Sens. Peterson, Sokola, Sorenson, Venables; Reps. Smith, Cathcart, Hudson, Keeley, Schwartzkopf

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

142nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5

DIRECTING THE DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY AUTHORITY TO PREPARE A STUDY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMBINED BRIDGE/TUNNEL CROSSING TO TRAVERSE THE DELAWARE BAY.

WHEREAS, growth and development in Sussex County has increased the pressure on Delaware’s highway system in that area; and

WHEREAS, as it is currently operated, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry is neither an effective commuter conveyance nor a strong draw for tourists to Sussex County, losing millions of dollars each year and having lost approximately $3 million last year alone; and

WHEREAS, it takes over an hour to cross the Delaware Bay by Ferry at a cost of $25.00 each way during the peak travel season; and

WHEREAS, years ago, the concept of a combined bridge/tunnel crossing to traverse the Chesapeake Bay between the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula with the Virginia mainland was investigated and built; and

WHEREAS, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel Crossing has proven successful, providing for uninterrupted and expedient travel across the Bay; and

WHEREAS, a project to build a bridge/tunnel crossing to traverse the Delaware Bay between Delaware and New Jersey would be similar in scope to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel Crossing; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly finds and declares that the construction of a Delaware Bay Bridge/Tunnel Crossing would be an inspiring engineering feat and, when completed, could be used as a multi-purpose structure, acting both as a major route for interstate transportation and travel and a platform for wind turbines or tidal generation facilities to generate electricity desperately needed throughout Sussex County;

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 142^nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives thereof concurring therein, with the approval of the Governor, that the Delaware River and Bay Authority is directed to study the feasibility of constructing a Combined Bridge/Tunnel Crossing to traverse the Delaware Bay.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than January 15, 2005, the Delaware River and Bay Authority is directed to submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report describing its research and findings, including the potential costs to motorists using the bridge/tunnel.

SYNOPSIS

As it is currently operated, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry is neither an effective commuter conveyance nor a strong draw for tourists to Sussex County, losing millions of dollars each year. Other states have investigated alternatives to a ferry system and in some cases have constructed bridge/tunnel crossings to supplement or replace such a system.

In addition to offering savings and convenience to the citizens of Delaware and New Jersey, the construction of a Delaware Bay Bridge/Tunnel Crossing would be an inspiring engineering feat and, when completed, could be used as a multi-purpose structure, acting both as a major route for interstate transportation and travel and a platform for wind turbines or tidal generation facilities to generate electricity desperately needed throughout Sussex County.

This Joint Resolution directs the DRBA to conduct a study on the feasibility of constructing a Combined Bridge/Tunnel Crossing to traverse the Delaware Bay. This Joint Resolution also directs the DRBA to submit a report describing its research and findings to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than January 15, 2005.

Author: Senator Bunting