The. Federal Highway Administration, as part of its Public Lands Highways Discretionary Program and the National Scenic Byways Program, has awarded Delaware three grants totaling $1.7 million.
A $640,000 Public Lands Highways Discretionary Program grant was awarded to the Delaware Department of Transportation for culvert construction for Prime Hook Road in Milton to reduce flooding, and to aid in the preservation of the wildlife refuge. The project will include construction of culverts along Prime Hook Road, adjacent to the Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge.
Delaware’s Route 9 Coastal Heritage Scenic Byway will be improved and enhanced thanks to these two grants totaling nearly $1.1 million. The first, the “Route 9 Coastal Heritage Scenic Byway Scenic Overlooks Project,” a $840,500 grant, will create new areas at six sites along the byway that include safely-defined overlook areas and pedestrian trails. The grant will expand wildlife viewing opportunities in state wildlife areas along Delaware’s Route 9 Scenic Byway – Augustine, Woodland Beach, Little Creek, and Ted Harvey Wildlife Areas. Improvements will include observation towers and platforms, roadway directional signs, information kiosks and interpretive signs.
The second NSBP grant, “Route 9 Coastal Heritage Byway Planning and Design of a Bicycle/Pedestrian Connector,” for $240,000, will fund planning and design of a community bike and pedestrian trail, which parallels the C&D Branch Canal in Delaware City and a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge.
The congressional delegation and governor’s office have pledged to continue to work together to involve the federal Fish and Wildlife Office in addressing flood-prone areas of Prime Hook.
“The state and residents of Prime Hook continue to work with federal Fish & Wildlife officials on issues affecting homes. One commitment we made to the community was working with the delegation to secure funds to improve the only public access point to Prime Hook,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “While there’s much work to do, this team effort hopefully will make things better and give some relief to Prime Hook residents.
