In deciding what to do about the controversial Augustine Cut-off intersection, the governor accepted a compromise brokered by state Representative Joseph DiPinto and previously reported by Delaforum. Gordon had said he favored retaining the intersection soon after that option was presented in January.

Although it was not involved in forging the compromise, the Triangle Neighborhood Association in Wilmington's near north side took the lion's share of credit for the decision. "We were shut out [from participation in discussions] in the beginning. But if we hadn't gotten all our facts together and gone out there, it never would have happened," said member Maureen Bowser.

The civic group at its monthly meeting on Mar. 6 formally voted thanks to Gordon, state Senator Harris McDowell and Mayor James Sills for "standing firm" against letting that happen. It then applauded itself for forcing the issue by mustering members in the governor's office on the day that he and Gordon were scheduled to announce support for a plan which included closing the intersection. That led to a seven-week delay in the governor's deciding what to do, which allowed time for working out a solution.

"All things considered, we came out all right," McDowell told the Triangle meeting. He added, however, that fundamental policy issues remain. "When we react to congestion by building more highway lanes, we only contribute to more congestion. Some other communities recognize that; we haven't gotten there yet," he said.

Carper eventually sided with community representatives and rejected a recommendation from elected officials and Delaware Economic Development Office, Delaware Department of Transportation and the Division of Parks & Recreation to close the intersection entirely. Only two members of the Blue Ball Taskforce 'policy committee', McDowell and County Councilman Robert Weiner voted in favor of a partial intersection.

Michelle Reardon, spokesperson for the development office and the Blue Ball Project, said only the 'policy committee', which is made up of the elected officials, actually voted on the proposal. That was not made clear when the result of the vote was announced in January, nor since.

The compromise  provides that the intersection will be rebuilt a few feet north of its present location, that Augustine Cut-off will 'never' -- at least not in the foreseeable future -- be widened, and that the Cut-off's northbound extension will not be linked directly with Route 141.

Right turns to access southbound Concord Pike and Interstate 95 from Augustine Cut-off will be permitted as will left turns from Concord Pike onto the Cut-off. All other movements will have to use a new 'local road' which will parallel the pike.

Intended to assuage traffic and safety concerns of residents along the Cut-off and in adjacent developments while providing an outlet so Broom Street and other city streets will not be inundated with traffic during rush hours, the compromise  was not referred to in the 'press release', but a source close to the situation said it was part of the decision.

The 'release' did say that Carper "has directed Secretary of Transportation Anne Canby to continue to work with residents in the area on safety and other traffic concerns they have raised."