Construction of the Claymont Regional Transportation Center (train station) at First State Crossing will get underway this spring
“Across our state, we are investing $3.2 billion to modernize our transportation system through 2025, including about $1.7 billion in New Castle County. These are historic levels of investment that will ease congestion, pave the way for future growth, improve safety on our roads and create good-paying jobs,” said Gov. John Carney. “With the Claymont Train Station project beginning this year and the Newark Train Station project underway, we are investing more than $130 million to improve rail infrastructure in our state to better serve our current ridership and accommodate future riders as well. These investments are an important part of our collective efforts to bring new jobs and residents to Claymont and communities throughout our state.”
The $71 million project was supported by a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“Three years ago, we knew this project had the potential to make a big impact on Claymont,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “The Congressional delegation went to work to convince then-US Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx that this project deserved a $10 million TIGER grant. It was easy to prove our point: This project is a perfect example of how transportation can create new opportunities for economic development through partnerships of government and private investment.”
SEPTA’s Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail Line has provided service to Claymont since 1991, offering 42 weekday trains and 14 weekend trains. Average weekday ridership from Claymont is nearly 1,200 passengers.
The project was awarded earlier this year Pennsylvania-based to Wagman/JMT for $54 million. Competition is slated for 2021.
A larger Claymont station could lead to more SEPTA service and passengers. The nearby Marcus Hook, PA station has limited parking.
The station is also viewed as key to the redevelopment of Claymont.
Land for the station was donated by the St. Louis-based company that is redeveloping the site of the former Evraz-Claymont Steel mill site.
Construction is underway at the end of the Delaware SEPTA line for a new Newark Train Station on the edge of the University of Delaware STAR Campus. In addition to SEPTA, a few Amtrak trains stop at the station.
