University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 25, March 27



            New Newark Rail Station construction under way
     
     University officials joined state, city and Chrysler
representatives earlier this month at a ceremonial
groundbreaking for the Newark Commuter Rail Station, to be
constructed south of the Amtrak tracks near the South
College Avenue railroad overpass.
     An access road, parking lot and passenger shelter will
be constructed at the site, and trains are expected to begin
operating out of there this fall. Several runs between
Newark and Wilmington are expected during morning rush hours
and at the end of the workday.
     According to David Hollowell, executive vice president,
the University granted easements on the east side of Route
896 to allow the Delaware Department of Transportation and
the city of Newark to relocate electric and install drainage
lines needed for the new station.
     Ultimately, he added, the University may provide a
small area for construction of a rail siding for a new set
of tracks. This next phase of construction, however, will
depend upon the level of commuter response and will occur
only if warranted by ridership and demand.
     Members of the University community will benefit from
the new rail service, Hollowell said, since it will provide
new opportunities for students and employees to travel by
train. For those who live in Wilmington, it will be an
alternative method of transportation to one's personal car
and, to a degree, could reduce commuter automobile traffic
into Newark.
     Rail service provided to Newark will also link, through
Wilmington, to Philadelphia and the Philadelphia airport.
This, he added, will be very beneficial to both student and
staff travelers.
     University staff members are working with state and
regional transportation officials to tie in UD transit
services to the new rail station. Efforts are being made to
coordinate UD's bus routes with scheduled stops at the
station.