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Route 9 Paths Plan to Improve Walking, Biking Along Key Corridor
A draft of the Route 9 Paths Plan will soon be available. Building on the walking and biking recommendations presented in the Route 9 Corridor Master Plan, the Paths Plan proposes a network of walking and biking paths for the Route 9 corridor, between the City of Wilmington and the City of
New Castle.
The plan’s walking and biking paths include a variety of on-road and off-road improvements, including upgraded sidewalks, bike-friendly
streets, mixed-use paths alongside roads, and off-road trails. The proposed network is designed to connect neighborhoods that are currently separated by high-stress roads and highways. As a result, more people will be able to walk and bike outside of their neighborhoods to amenities, job opportunities, and other destinations. The plan also recommends improved lighting to make walking and biking safer at
signage to make it easier to get around.
The plan’s recommendations were developed after a year of data analysis and public outreach. The team took a close look at existing conditions and socioeconomic data to better understand the transportation needs of each community in the corridor. Using that data, a technical prioritization process was developed to determine which areas would biking improvements.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a socially distanced, but thorough, public outreach process was conducted to ensure that the plan meets each neighborhood’s needs. Feedback was collected via a public survey, which was distributed both online and door-to-door so that all neighborhoods were represented, including people without access to the internet. This feedback reinforced the need for improved walking and biking infrastructure, helped refine the proposed path network, and identified additional recommendations to improve the walking and biking experience.
The Route 9 Paths Plan will be completed later this summer. If funding is available, the majority of the path network could be imp- lemented within 10 years, including short-term recommendations that can make an immediate impact to better connect neighborhoods, improve safety and public health, and increase access to opportunities.
For more information, please visit
www.wilmapco.org/route9pathsplan.
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