News Article

DelDOT provides travel tips for fans coming to the Monster Mile this weekend

September 19, 2007

DelDOT Welcomes NASCAR Fans to Dover International Speedway

DOVER, Del. - The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) greets NASCAR fans to Dover for the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, NASCAR Busch East Series, and NASCAR Busch Series at the Dover International Speedway beginning on Friday, September 21 through Sunday, September 23.

DelDOT and DART First State encourage motorists to use the two Race Express Bus Services that will be available on Sunday, September 23. For $ 20.00 per car, race fans can park at the Blue Hen Corporate Center on Bay Road in Dover, and all vehicle occupants can once again ride the Race Express Bus to and from Dover International Speedway. The Blue Hen Corporate Center Race Express Bus will avoid race day traffic congestion by traveling south on Bay Road, away from the traffic, and enter Route 1 to an exclusive, buses-only exit ramp leading directly to Dover International Speedway. The total trip will have race fans at the racetrack in only 12 minutes. The service will begin at 8:00 a.m., and will be available to transport passengers back and forth until 1 hour after the race.

The Race Express Bus from the Christiana Mall Park & Ride will take NASCAR fans directly to Dover International Speedway. The departure time from the Christiana Mall will be at 7:30 a.m. The cost per person is $ 10.00 for a round trip. Children 46" in height or under ride free; reduced fare is $ 4.00 with a DART Reduced Fare ID card or Medicare card. Due to limited seating of 1,000, this service is on a first-come, first-served basis. When fans leave the racetrack, the Express Bus will go to the Blue Hen Corporate Center. From there, the shuttle will return to Christiana Mall. Both of the Race Express services will only operate on Sunday, September 23. In the event of rain on Sunday, September 23, there will be NO refund and NO bus service on Monday, September 24.

At both of the Route 1 Toll Plaza's and on I-95, additional lanes will be open in anticipation of heavy traffic congestion. Additional toll operators will be working at the Dover Route 1 Toll Plaza on Monday, September 24 to accommodate recreational vehicles leaving the speedway.

DelDOT's Transportation Management Center (TMC) staff in coordination with City of Dover Police and Delaware State Police will monitor traffic in and around the Dover area to ensure safe and smooth travel for motorists as they head to the races, restaurants, and other local attractions.

On Sunday, September 23, the Dover International Speedway's main entrance on Route 13 will be closed for all southbound traffic when parking at the Dover International Speedway is full. When the race is completed Sunday afternoon, Leipsic Road will be closed to through traffic. This will allow traffic to exit directly on to Route 13 and traffic from Lot 2 parking to exit directly to Leipsic Road.

A designated exit route for the Saturday and Sunday race has been established through the cooperation of many groups including the Towne Point Civic Association. For vehicles parked in Lot 1 they will be permitted to exit onto Buckson Drive to Townsend Boulevard (next to K-Mart) and the signalized intersection. Once at the traffic signal they will be able to turn southbound only. Due to special routes being designed just for Saturday and Sunday race day traffic, motorists are encouraged to carefully read the variable message signs in the Dover area.

The TMC and DelDOT's Traffic Division will work remotely from the Command Post at the Dover International Speedway with technicians monitoring traffic inside both the track facilities and outside on Dover-area roadways. DelDOT's staff will watch major intersections for proper signal progression, place temporary directional signage, and assist with any incident or congestion problems along major travel routes. Traffic Patrol Units will be in the area to help motorists with breakdowns, directions, etc.

The Smyrna Rest Area located a short ten miles north of Dover Downs just off Exit 119 I open 24 hours each day, offers snacks and sodas, restrooms, and has an RV dump station for a modest charge for the convenience of the NASCAR campers.

Motorists should check the DelDOT's website at www.deldot.gov for updated travel -related information and live video of traffic conditions or tune to WTMC-AM 1380 for up-to-the-minute traffic conditions.

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For an original copy of the release from the DelDOT website, click here.