Sean Finerty

The meeting covered the review of the minutes from December 3rd, 2025, and the election of the 2026 chair and vice chair, with Scott Hoffman elected chair and Mike Wagner elected vice chair. A significant discussion focused on updates regarding the Town of Clayton's rail trail project, which is in the design phase for connecting existing pathways and aims to utilize an 18-acre parcel from the railroad, with plans for further extension towards Eastern Maryland. Additionally, the council addressed an addendum to the Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant application regarding clarifying rightaways, and subsequently moved to vote on approving this language to move forward with advertising the 2026 grant cycle.

The meeting began with welcomes and introductions of attendees present at the DelDot Administrative Building and those joining online. A presentation covered the mission, goals (including safety, security, and economic vitality), and responsibilities of the Delaware Aeronautics office, such as conducting statewide system planning projects and providing infrastructure funding. An overview of Delaware's aviation system, detailing the ten public use facilities (three publicly owned and six privately owned), was provided. The council's role, mandated by state law, includes supporting department planning and recommending improvements to aviation facilities and programs. Attendees reviewed the minutes from the October 22nd, 2025 meeting, which included updates on project costs, the state funding program for 2026-2027, updates from Delaware State University on advanced air mobility, and the status of the statewide aviation system plan update. Under new business, an update was given on the state funding program, confirming the selection of an end-of-runway tree clearing project at Corman Airport for funding and outlining a proposed cycle change to align with the FAA's schedule (application period shifting to March). Additionally, research findings on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and the proposed FAA Part 108 rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations were presented, clarifying the limits of state and local government authority versus the FAA's jurisdiction over aviation safety and airspace.

This document outlines a draft Capital Transportation Program for fiscal years 2027 to 2032. It details a prioritized list of transportation infrastructure projects across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties, categorized by their development phase including project development, preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. The program incorporates a revised project prioritization method approved in 2025 and includes newly added projects and recent changes from a September 2025 meeting, focusing on improving regional transportation infrastructure.

The meeting commenced with a confirmation of quorum and subsequent approval of the February 26, 2025, Council meeting minutes. The Secretary's Update included a presentation on DelDOT updates, noting a significant decrease in transportation fatalities and highlighting ongoing safety initiatives such as the installation of median barriers and roundabouts under the Safe System Approach. Organizational structure changes within DelDOT were announced, along with the department's focus areas: Safety, State of Good Repair, Multimodal, and Resiliency. Legislative updates covered SB 88 regarding Toll Violation Processing Changes, where invoices will replace violation notices, and HB 164 detailing various DelDOT fee increases. Discussions also addressed error rates for out-of-state EZPass holders and prioritizing frequently flooded roads, including Route 9. Financial briefings covered the Transportation Trust Fund Sources of Funds for FY26, Projected Revenues and Expenditures for FY26 and FY27, and the FY27-FY32 6-year Program Spend Budget. Project Highlights were summarized, including updates on I-95 and SR896, Camden Bypass, and Georgetown to Lewes Trail. The Draft FY27-FY32 Capital Transportation Program (CTP) was reviewed, noting the addition of the McKee Road/Salisbury Road Improvements project, and subsequently approved. Next steps for the CTP process, including public meetings and further reviews, were outlined. The Council also discussed filling three current vacancies and received public comment regarding the Sterling Crossing Community easement.

This workshop presents findings from Phase 2 of the Coastal Corridors Study, focusing on transportation planning in Sussex County. It discusses the interconnectedness of land use and transportation, analyzing different growth scenarios (compact vs. sprawl) and their impact on vehicle delay and accessibility. The study evaluates three mitigation strategies—blue, red, and green—which propose combinations of roadway widenings and new connectors for corridors like US9, SR16, and SR24. The plan emphasizes the need for collaborative solutions with local and state partners to address future traffic congestion, improve safety, and encourage alternate modes of transportation, acknowledging the long-term nature of infrastructure development and the importance of coordinating land use decisions.