New Delaware delegation celebrates over $13 million in federal funding for critical infrastructure project

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester and Congresswoman Sarah McBride (all D-Del.) today celebrated over $13 million in federal funding coming home to Delaware as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program, a program funded by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding will be used to elevate the 58-year-old bridge on State Route 9 over Red Lion Creek, ensuring it lies above the 50-year Federal Emergency Management Agency stillwater elevation - the water level observed during major flood events. This project is critical for Delaware, a state extremely vulnerable to flooding, especially along its coastline.

"When it comes to severe weather caused by climate change, Delaware is on the front lines with unprecedented flooding and rising sea levels, and this project is vital to protect both the First State's communities and our economy," said Senator Coons. "This $13 million RAISE grant from the Biden-Harris administration will help make the Route 9 corridor safer for travelers while addressing flood events exacerbated by climate change. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Blunt Rochester and Congresswoman McBride to fight for more investments like this one in the future that deliver for Delawareans."

"I am grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation for awarding a RAISE Grant of over $13 million for critical improvements along State Route 9," said Senator Blunt Rochester. "Delaware is the lowest-lying state in the nation by mean elevation, making us especially susceptible to the impacts of the climate crisis. Those include more frequent and severe extreme weather events and flooding, which have made State Route 9 impassable at times. This federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - which I was proud to champion in Congress - will go a long way toward making this critical piece of our state's infrastructure more resilient for many years to come. Thank you to the Biden-Harris administration for this important investment in the First State's economy and long-term safety."

"I'm so thrilled that the Delaware Department of Transportation has been awarded over $13 million from the RAISE Grant program to ensure that Route 9 remains a vital corridor for our state," said Congresswoman McBride. "Every year, Delawareans face washed-out roads, worsened by climate change and a rising sea level. Route 9 has connected dozens of our rural communities and small towns to good-paying jobs and provided access for all of us to enjoy recreation in our wildlife areas. This grant will help to raise the bridge that connects vital communities in Delaware, Bear to Delaware City, bridge 1-305 over the Red Lion Creek, to ensure that our communities can maintain connectivity and economic competitiveness for generations to come. I join Delawareans in thanking our favorite neighbor, President Biden, for this critical investment in rebuilding our infrastructure."

"These federal funds support our efforts to improve the Route 9 corridor and address its vulnerability to flooding and sea level rise," said Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Acting Secretary Shanté Hastings. "Making improvements like this new bridge ensures that this roadway will continue to be accessible for decades to come."

The Delaware River and its tributaries are expected to rise 17 inches by 2050 and nearly 4 feet by the year 2100, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey. The new bridge will factor in those sea level rise estimates and add a foot of freeboard for extra protection. The project will also improve safety measurements for the hundreds of cyclists who use the bridge annually and allow for full access to industrial hubs like the Blue Diamond industrial park and the Delaware City Refinery.

This project is part of DelDOT's broader $300 million comprehensive Route 9 resiliency program, designed to deliver cost-efficient, comprehensive improvements.