The Delaware Department of Transportation’s (DelDOT) State Route (SR) 299, SR 1 to Catherine Street Widening Project won the People’s Choice Award in the 2025 America’s Transportation Awards competition. Located in Middletown, Delaware, the project widened a vital, congested corridor while enhancing pedestrian and bicycle access.
The America’s Transportation Awards competition, created by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) 18 years ago, highlights the positive impact of state department of transportation projects on communities nationwide. The 2025 competition received 113 nominations from 35 states.
“The 2025 America’s Transportation Awards competition received the most state DOT nominations to date — highlighting [the] year’s most innovative transportation projects that bolster safety, boost the economy, and improve the quality of life for everyone,” said Jim Tymon, AASHTO’s Executive Director.
Nominated projects competed in four regional contests, with the three highest-rated projects from each region advancing to the final stage. The project with the highest number of online votes from the public — weighted by state population — earned the People’s Choice Award, which includes $10,000 cash. DelDOT is using their award to set up a new scholarship fund.
The SR 299 corridor in Middletown faced increasing congestion and safety concerns due to rapid population growth and development. The existing, undivided two-lane road was operating over capacity, especially during peak hours. With multiple schools, healthcare facilities, shopping centers, and residential communities located along the route, there was an urgent need to improve traffic flow, safety, and multimodal access.
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In design for nearly a decade, the $40 million project was finally completed with the help of federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The work widened a 2-mile stretch of Catherine Street (also known as SR 299 and Main Street). In addition to roadway and intersection improvements, the project added transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities to better serve residents of Middletown and southern New Castle County, Delaware.
In the busy work area, “The biggest obstacle was relocating utilities and working in phases so the traffic impact was as minimal as possible,” said John “Jay” Evans, DelDOT’s Project Manager.
The project team used 3D modeling to enhance design accuracy. They addressed stormwater challenges through the use of infiltration trenches and bioretention facilities, which supported existing hydrology and reduced runoff.
To coordinate with stakeholders and the public on the high-profile project, the team developed an online, map-based tour and facilitated regular public workshops and construction coordination meetings.
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With the completion of the project, travel times were reduced for residents, businesses, and freight vehicles, including critical delivery routes and access to local employers like Amazon and Wawa. The addition of six DART bus stops, a shared-use path, and a complete sidewalk network expanded multimodal access, making it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate the area — especially students traveling to nearby schools.
Evans credited the project’s success to “the constant communication and coordination between all parties involved — the department, the Town of Middletown, and all our contractors.”
- Owner: Delaware Department of Transportation
- Project Partner: Town of Middletown, Delaware
- Contractor: A-Del Construction, Newark, Delaware
- Designer: McCormick Taylor, Newark, Delaware
- Inspection: GPI, Dover, Delaware
