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Project Profile: Delaware US Route 301

Delaware US Route 301

photo credit: Delaware Department of Transportation

Location

Northern Delaware

Project Sponsor / Borrower

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)

Program Areas

Project FinanceTolling and PricingTIFIA

Mode

Toll Highway

Description

This project in Northern Delaware consists of new alignment for US Route 301, a four-lane, limited access toll roadway on new location, extending from existing US 301 at the Maryland/Delaware state line northeast to SR-1 south of the C&D Canal/Roth Bridge, a distance of approximately 12.5 miles. A future Spur Road is planned as a two-lane, limited access roadway on new location, extending from US 301 to the Summit Bridge over the C&D Canal (SR-15/SR-896), a distance of approximately 4.5 miles.

The purpose of the project is to improve safety and relieve congestion in the corridor. The fatality rate on existing US 301 is 60% higher than the statewide average and 70% higher than the national average. Its existing capacity also cannot meet the needs of the region's current and projected future traffic volumes, including a significant number of trucks.

The purpose of the project is to improve safety and relieve congestion in the corridor. The fatality rate on existing US 301 is 60% higher than the statewide average and 70% higher than the national average. Its existing capacity also cannot meet the needs of the region's current and projected future traffic volumes, including a significant number of trucks. The project will serve the northeast corridor of the United States as an alternative to I-95 between the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC area and I-95, I-295, and I-495 south of Wilmington, Delaware. Locally, the project will serve New Castle County, Delaware and Queen Anne's, Kent, and Cecil Counties in Maryland.

DelDOT is constructing the project under seven concurrent contracts over three years.

Cost

$582.3 million

Funding Sources

Toll revenue bonds - $234.3

GARVEE bonds - $125 million

TIFIA loan - $211.2 million

Cash on hand - $11.8 million

Project Delivery / Contract Method Design-bid-build
Private Partner

None

Project Advisors / Consultants

To the Borrower

  • Toll revenue bond underwriters - Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan, M&T Securities, Inc.
  • Bond Counsel - Saul Ewing LLP
  • Financial Advisor - Public Financial Management, Inc.

To USDOT TIFIA JPO

  • TIFIA Financial Advisor - Scully Capital, Inc.
  • TIFIA Legal Advisor - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLC
Lenders

Bondholders, USDOT TIFIA

Duration / Status

The TIFIA loan closed on December 3, 2015. Commercial close was reached on December 16, 2015. Construction began February 2016 and is expected to be complete in December 2018.

TIFIA Credit Assistance

Direct Loan - $211.235 million

The TIFIA loan will be repaid through US 301 toll revenues and pledged State Transportation Trust Fund revenues.

Financial Status

The TIFIA credit agreement was signed on December 3, 2015. Interest payments on the loan will commence in June 2028 with final maturity occurring no later than December 2053.

Innovations
  • The TIFIA loan is secured by a double-barreled pledge of subordinate lien on both US 301 toll revenues and the State Transportation Trust Fund.
  • The finance structure qualified for waiver of the springing lien to the US 301 Master Indenture Senior Project Revenue Bonds (toll revenue bonds).
Related Links / Articles

DelDOT Project Website

Contacts

Shante Hastings
Acting Director of Finance
Delaware Department of Transportation
Tel: (302) 760-2700

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