Wilmington  I-95 viaduct project countdown underway

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Good afternoon everyone

A quick conversation before Ken Grants’s presentation on autonomous vehicles at the Delaware Technology Forum led to some interesting observations on a more immediate issue. (I’ll have more on Ken’s thoughts on the no driver vehicle  revolution  in the Friday newsletter).

The  clock is ticking down on a 2021  Interstate 95 Wilmington viaduct project that will cause major disruptions. The project will make needed repairs on roadways and the aging viaducts running through the city.

Grant noted that despite a ton of publicity  about the $200 million, two-year  project, some motorists won’t get the memo.

DelDOT could put up blimps with message boards with warnings about the project and we would see massive tie-ups on day one, Grant noted.

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I chimed in with my more optimistic view, which was the topic of a previous column in this space.

Then came another insight What if the project is actually good for Wilmington by encouraging more people to move to the city or nearby areas?

For the past half-century, the focus by DelDOT and the city has been on getting commuters out of town by 5 p.m. It came after the  I-95 route severed  stable neighborhoods and contributed to the city’s decline.

There is  anecdotal evidence that the project and continued revitalization  efforts have a  few people are thinking about moving into the city.

Renters have more options as apartments continue to go up, and neighborhoods like Trolley Square remain popular. Areas in and around the city could also see renewed interest.

Meanwhile, commutes from Middletown, Philadelphia, and Newark will face challenges.

Not mentioned was the possibility that the project could further spur the departures of small and mid-sized service firms out of the city, a trend that has been going on for decades. Then again, we have seen entrepreneurs move into the city.

Whatever happens, Wilmington will not be the same and there is a chance the change will be for the better.

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