DelDOT projects concern Lewes officials

Lewes officials have outlined safety and congestion problems posed by two major transportation projects proposed in the Five Points area. 

In February, Delaware Department of Transportation officials unveiled a plan to realign Old Orchard Road with the traffic light at Wescoats Corner. Transportation officials also put forward a plan to significantly alter the traffic pattern along Route 1 from Minos Conaway Road to the Five Points intersection, including the addition of a two-lane road under the Nassau bridge with access to New Road. 

Lewes City Manager Ann Marie Townshend drafted a letter to DelDOT with input from council members. She said the Minos Conaway Road proposal could seriously affect New Road.

“New Road is a narrow road without sidewalks or shoulders,” she said. “The bridge over Canary Creek floods regularly, impeding access over the creek.” 

She said the city suspects the proposed project would divert more traffic onto New Road, and the city is not aware of any plans to improve it. 

“The road is already impacted by boat trailers accessing the boat ramp,” she said. “While not officially designated as an emergency access route, New Road is largely seen by residents on the north end of Lewes as a means of evacuation due to heavy traffic on Savannah Road and Kings Highway.”

As for the realignment of Old Orchard Road, Townshend wrote the project is needed and would provide an overall benefit. But, she said, the city has concerns with access to specific properties and safety of the proposed changes. 

Councilwoman Bonnie Osler said the two projects would combine to create a Five Points bypass. She said she would like to hear what DelDOT has to say about future traffic estimates. 

“We could look at the numbers today, but they won’t be indicative of what the traffic is most likely to be,” she said. “What will the spillover effect be on city streets?”

New Road is also largely undeveloped. While one large parcel has been sold for development, hundreds of acres remain undeveloped. 

In the letter, Lewes council invited DelDOT officials to the body’s Monday, April 9 meeting to discuss the plans, trip distributions and the planned function of the improvements on the larger transportation system.

“This would provide us and our constituents with a better understanding of the projects and the potential impact they would have on the city,” Townshend wrote. 

DelDOT is pushing forward with planning for each project as well as others in the Five Points area. The proposed plans were among several topics displayed for the public at a March 26 workshop at Beacon Middle School, hosted by the Five Points Working Group. 

Residents attending the meeting were asked to watch a presentation before entering the workshop. They then had an opportunity to talk with DelDOT officials about safety, mobility, quality of life and economic development. 

Information about the Five Points group and the proposed projects in the surrounding area can be found at www.5points.deldot.gov.