The Delaware Department of Transportation Celebrates 100 Years

Date Posted: Thursday, December 21st, 2017

In 2017 the Delaware Department of Transportation celebrated 100 years of service to the residents of Delaware and all who travel through the First State. On Saturday, January 6, at 10:30 a.m. Jennifer Cohan, Secretary of Delaware Department of Transportation will present a program at the Delaware Public Archives focusing on the first 100 years of this state agency. The Delaware General Assembly passed the Highway Act of 1917 which formed a centralized highway department with the authority to build and maintain a “permanent” highway system extending throughout the state. Secretary Cohan will present the history of the department and how Delaware’s transportation system has evolved and expanded over the past century.

Secretary Cohan was appointed in January 2015 to be only the third woman to lead the Delaware Department of Transportation after serving as the Director of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles since 2007. Her state public service career has spanned over 27 years. Secretary Cohan has worked in the capacity of Financial/Program Manager at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control managing the state’s Clean Water Program, and has also worked with the Delaware State Legislature within the Office of the Controller General. She is an adjunct professor at Wilmington University, teaching leadership and public policy in the Master’s program.

The program is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. For more information, contact Tom Summers (302) 744-5047 or e-mail thomas.summers@delaware.gov.

In addition, with the start of 2018, the Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room will be open for patrons from 1:00 pm. to 4:00 on the first Saturday of each month. January 6 will be the first Saturday when these hours take effect.