The Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO), City of Wilmington and DelDOT are studying the feasibility of capping one or more sections of I-95 between the Delaware Avenue bridge and the 6th Street bridge. As a stakeholder in the feasibility study, we encourage you to provide your feedback on the I-95 Cap Feasibility Study Draft Final Report that’s been compiled. View Design Concept renderings.
Highway caps create the opportunity for new public spaces and walking/biking connections on top of highways. The areas between the bridges create an opportunity for multiple concepts to be developed utilizing some, or all, of these spaces to create new connections between neighborhoods divided by the highway and new public spaces for the community to enjoy. To learn more visit www.wilmapco.org/i95cap
The Draft Final Report was shaped by public input at four workshops held between November 2021 and November 2022, and through written comments.
Email your feedback or questions on the report by January 11, 2023, to rnovakoff@wilmapco.org or call (302)737-6205.
View Prior Workshop Presentations:
Workshop #1
Workshop #2
Workshop #3 (No presentation – workshop gathered public input/feedback)
Workshop #4
Para solicitar interpretación en español envíe un correo electrónico a rnovakoff@wilmapco.org o llame al (302)737-6205.
The construction of I-95 through Wilmington resulted in the destruction of hundreds of homes between Adams and Jackson Streets. The ramps to downtown were constructed as a compromise to bring economic development to the downtown and Riverfront, and to offset the loss of the neighborhood. Construction of I-95 effectively created a wall between the West Side and the downtown area separating these neighborhoods. This also substantially increased traffic on parts of Adams and Jackson Streets, which now serve as busy service roads for the I-95 ramps instead of quiet neighborhood streets.
The affected neighborhoods were largely composed of middle class white families (80%) at that time with 23% being foreign born, similar to the City as a whole. Over time, the changes to Wilmington’s overall racial composition were amplified by the construction I-95 through these neighborhoods. Today, the area consists of a population that is 79% African American and minority, with the residents mainly considered as low income families.
To address the division created by I-95, Wilmington is now joining an ever-growing number of cities that are exploring ways to reconnect neighborhoods and provide new public spaces by creating caps over urban highways. These new lands are being used to create green spaces, plazas and cultural amenities that can reconnect neighborhoods and provide opportunities for residents to walk and bike more in their communities. – WILMAPCO
To learn more about the study and the Advisory Committee, visit WILMAPCO’s website.
Share your thoughts on the progress of design ideas for a “cap” over the I-95 in the City of Wilmington between 6th Street and Delaware Avenue.
About Delaware Greenways:
We envision a State where trails, pathways and scenic corridors connect everyone to where they want to go, empowering them to live healthier lives as they discover and enjoy the outdoors.
