Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 183

STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF AN APPROPRIATE CROSSING OF THE DELAWARE RIVER

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF AN APPROPRIATE CROSSING OF THE DELAWARE RIVER.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware in General Assembly met:

Section 1. The State Highway Department is hereby appointed, authorized and directed to investigate the desirability, practicability and commercial feasibility of the construction and establishment of a bridge, or tunnel over or under the Delaware River, and connecting the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey; and to that end, but without limitation of the foregoing, the said Department is hereby authorized and empowered:

(a) To prepare preliminary plans, estimates, and to secure all necessary engineering and cost of construction data, to determine the location and character of installing and operating a method of transportation between the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey; and to determine and report whether the said operation should be a bridge or a tunnel.

(b) To determine through proper negotiations the costs for acquiring the necessary property of every character both in New Jersey and Delaware for the construction both of a bridge or a tunnel, as well as necessary terminal facilities for each of said operations.

(c) To examine, determine and report on all legal questions of every character both in relation to the State of New Jersey and its several sub-divisions which may have relation to the purposes of this Act; and to the State of Delaware and its several sub-divisions, which may have relation to the purposes of this Act; and of all transportation operations whether public or private, which may he involved in or related to the final plan.

(d) To prepare a plan for the establishment of an authority as an agency to carry out the plans and operations for the construction and operation of the final plan which may be determined upon by the proper authorities of the State of Delaware.

(d) To consult with the United States War Department, through its proper agency, on all questions arising under any proposed crossing operation as recommended by the Department, and to secure the approval of said War Department of the plan finally agreed upon.

(e) To determine by studies the question of traffic both in relation to the present traffic of both passenger and freight over the Highways of the State of Delaware, as well as by means of the proposed crossing; and to make and secure estimates relating to the question of charging a toll fee for the use of the means of transportation to be finally determined upon.

(f) To determine, after negotiations, with responsible banking interests, whether corporate or private, the best possible basis for the issuance of such securities as may be issued by the proposed Authority under such powers as may be conferred upon it, for the purpose of putting in effect and operating the said crossing operation.

(g) If the Department consider it advisable, to prepare, examine and present plans to the Public Works Administration at Washington, for the purpose of securing such financial aid, or other assistance as may be needed or obtainable to assist in the carrying out of the proposed objective for which the Authority is created.

() To make a comprehensive study of all matter which said Department shall consider proper in order to make a full and complete report on said proposed crossing.

Section 2. The State Highway Department is hereby authorized and empowered to select any person, persons, or group of persons individually or as constituting a special commission or committee, to advise and assist it in carrying out any of the authority or directions of this Act, especially those specifically enumerated in Section 1 hereof, and in so doing the State Highway Department is hereby authorized and empowered to pay for such services as it deems fit and proper.

Section 3. Upon completion of its studies and findings the said Department shall report its conclusions and recommendations to the Governor of this State and to the General Assembly if it shall be in session; and in the event the General Assembly is not in session it shall be the duty of the Governor, upon the next convening of the General Assembly thereafter, either in regular or in special session, to transmit to each House thereof copies of the report or reports made by said Department.

Approved May 4, 1939.