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Problems with Shuttle Road development and traffic

February 17, 2017

As a subscriber to the Cape Gazette, I appreciate the role that this newspaper plays in helping to shape the community dialogue of Eastern Sussex County. The purpose of my letter is to address the proposed Truitt Development on Shuttle Road.

The perspective that I will take is that of an engineer who has designed and constructed many chemical plants, laboratory buildings and installed a few roads. After some study, I believe that the Sussex County Board of Adjustment may not have all of the best information needed to "vote with proper stewardship" on the results of its hearing of last December. Therefore, I request a reopening of the record and time to accomplish the needed studies.

It has come to my attention, after reviewing many documents and records, that there are two key items that have yet to be officially addressed:

It appears that the 120-bed assisted living facility (ALF) was dropped from the original 2015 plans due to lack of sewer capacity. I have a home in the area, and I have seen no upgrades to the sewers in this timeframe. Additionally, the Rehoboth Gateway has been built within the past 18 months, and with the addition of one new restaurant, and two more open pads for additional restaurants, I ask if prudent development would indicate that Sussex County study the actual and projected sewer hydraulic loads and report on any needed infrastructure improvements. More homes have also been constructed during this timeframe, and the county visits the sewer lift stations nearby on a weekly basis to ensure proper operation. I wonder how close to capacity are the sewers, and should not we know that before moving ahead and granting permission?

It also appears that the latest actual traffic counts were made in 2012. Whatever decision the board of adjustment has made has been on estimates only. There has been a lot of residential and commercial development in this area, and the outlets have been expanded. The traffic at Shuttle Road and the Rehoboth Gateway entrance is downright dangerous. I am not a traffic engineer; however, I have personally witnessed near accidents that should be addressed by a detailed road and traffic study with actual traffic counts, engineer observations, and perhaps even video from a reconfigured DelDOT traffic cam. Adding a 24/7 operational "mini-hospital" to this critical intersection may not be in the best consideration of public safety.

In summary, with any large building project, the developers and Sussex County owe its citizens a thorough, advance study with up-to-date, actual data. It appears that two major items have not been completed: current sewer loadings and traffic data. I suggest, as good engineering practice and as good stewards of the public trust, that the County Board of Adjustment delay its vote and not move forward until this information can be officially determined, shared and entered into the record. The communities and businesses that use Shuttle Road every day deserve to understand the state of these two critical pieces of infrastructure that we all share.

Deborah L. Grubbe, PE, CEng., NAC
Delaware Engineer of the Year - 2002
Member - National Academy of Construction

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