Adam Duvernay

The News Journal

Funeral services for Cpl. Stephen Ballard, the Delaware State Police trooper gunned down outside a Bear-area Wawa last week, is expected to cause traffic delays Friday, and state police and transportation officials are asking motorists to plan accordingly.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Those wishing to pay respects to his family are invited to do so from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Immediately following, uniformed emergency services personnel will be invited to pay their respects.

The northbound lanes of I-95 between the Christiana Mall (Exit 4A) and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Exit 6) will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. and will be reopened after a procession of emergency vehicles travel to the Chase Center.

Additionally a second closure of the northbound lanes of I-95 between the Christiana Mall and the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will occur beginning at 8 a.m. for the last procession of emergency vehicles to travel to the Chase Center.

STORY: Trooper added to list of Delaware fallen officers

STORY: Police see change in public sentiment since shooting

Northbound I-95 traffic will be significantly impacted and will be utilizing the alternate routes of Del. 896, U.S. 40, Del. 273 and U.S. 13. Motorists can expect delays on these routes with the increased diverted volume of traffic.

The funeral procession will depart the Chase Center around noon and travel to the Gracelawn Cemetery at 2220 N. Du Pont Highway near New Castle.

The procession is scheduled to use the following route:

Justison Street to

Martin Luther King Boulevard to

South Market Street to

North DuPont Highway to

Lovelace Avenue (U-turn) to

Gracelawn Memorial Cemetery.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW MAP

DART will be offering free shuttle service from the Del. 273 and Del. 7 Park & Ride to the Chase Center on the Riverfront beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 9 a.m. Return service to the Park and Ride from the Chase Center will be between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

DART also will be adjusting regular bus services to avoid road closures. Delays can be expected. Commuters also can use SEPTA’s Wilmington/Newark Line from Newark and Fairplay Stations to avoid delays. Visit www.dartfirststate.com for more details.

Members of the public wishing to attend the services for Cpl. Ballard are asked to use off-site parking as access to the Chase Center will be restricted.

Contact Adam Duvernay at (302) 324-2785 or aduvernay@delawareonline.com.

WATCH LIVE

Delawareonline will be livestreaming the Celebration of Life service for Cpl. Stephen Ballard on Friday.