As a recreational biker and pedestrian who uses this Savannah Road route most days of the week, in my opinion it would be a terrible missed opportunity to not take advantage of implementing this plan now. The trail plan design is well underway and there is a path to funding that appears to have flexibility. DelDOT has done its work and cleared the way.
"The plan was included in the Historic Lewes Byway: Gateway to the Bayshore's corridor management plan, which was accepted by the state, county and city last year." The trail supports consultant recommendations for the Lewes Marine Commercial District.
A lot of work has gotten us to this point, with a lot of input from a lot of groups. It was not done in a vacuum.
The trail is similar in construction to the two-way Georgetown-Lewes and Junction trails. Families riding and walking the trail to and from the beach and other area sites will be safer. Walkers and bikers will be "separated" from the road, on their own path, away from traffic. Mike Tyler's comments in this article confound me. I just don't see the dilemma.
The plan includes crosswalk improvements at the bridge that will make things better than today while a more permanent solution is developed and implemented and it takes pedestrians and family bikers off Savannah Road.
The trail will be a permanent enhancement to Lewes life, support local business and tourism, and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety while reducing the need for motorized traffic.
DNREC with the support of the CMLF is considering adding a new trail along the railroad tracks from Freeman Highway to Cape Henlopen State Park, with a link to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal that will also connect with this trail, making it possible to safely walk or ride from and to Lewes to the ferry and CHSP and onward.
Implementation of this plan does not end transportation, pedestrian and bicycle improvements that are needed in Lewes, but is is a large piece of the puzzle and should move forward.
Jay Tomlinson
Lewes
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