July 24, 2007

Biden and Carper Announce More Than $10 Million in Transportation and Housing Funding

I-95, SR1, and Wilmington Housing Authority among Beneficiaries

U.S Senators Joe Biden (D-DE) and Tom Carper (D-DE) today announced initial approval of $10.6 million in federal funding of essential Delaware transportation and housing projects. Funding for these projects was included in the FY 2008 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill which has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The I-95/SR1 interchange, The Ministry of Caring, and Crestview Apartments are just three of the projects designated to receive federal funding.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration before it is reconciled with a similar bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Once the Senate/House compromise bill is passed, Congress sends that bill to the president for final approval.

“These projects will go a long way towards easing strains on many Delawareans’ lives,” said Senator Biden. “I’m glad we are able to help Crestview turn the corner in its quest to supply safe, dependable housing to its residents; to speed up highway construction that I know many drivers in our state are anxious to see completed; and to reinvigorate the Mary Mother of Hope House, a place that has saved so many lives.”

"This $10.6 million in federal funds is important for many Delawareans because it will help make roads safer, provide affordable housing, promote economic development and support research to develop more fuel efficient vehicles," Senator Carper said.

A breakdown of the funding is as follows:

$2 million to redesign the I-95 and SR1 interchange and to reconfigure the Newark toll plaza;
$1.5 million for the Port of Wilmington for rail infrastructure improvements to support the delivery and backhaul of more than 11,000 multi-level railcars per year;
$1 million for the Wilmington Housing Authority, to be used to make needed improvements to Crestview Apartments in downtown Wilmington;
$1 million for the Ministry of Caring – to renovate the aging Mary Mother of Hope House, which provides housing and services to homeless women over 18;
$1.2 million for the State of Delaware – to provide an enhanced road emergency call system and expand the travel advisory radio system;
$500,000 for the Beautiful Gate Outreach Center – to increase HIV testing services and prevention programs in New Castle County to address the increasing rates of HIV infection;
$1.5 million for the University of Delaware’s Automotive-based Fuel Cell Hybrid Bus to address the issue of refueling and refueling infrastructure;
$500,000 for Delaware State University’s transportation and public safety traffic information exchange pilot project;
$1 million for the State of Delaware to order several new transit buses; and
$400,000 to help build a Children’s Museum in Delaware (Delaware is one of the few states without a Children’s Museum) as part of the larger effort to remove blight and redevelop brownfields along the Christina Riverfront.