We are writing in support of Lewes City Council's funding the TAP Safety and Beautification Project. The significant benefits have been well documented. Briefly, they include:
New sidewalks, crosswalks and, particularly, landscaping to make this long-neglected, unappealing area much more aesthetically pleasing, in keeping with our beautiful downtown.
The return on investment (500 percent) makes this a very effective public works project that gives us the opportunity to do the job right the first time. DelDOT has spent considerable time and money to evaluate and design this project and has allocated scarce dollars to fund its completion.
A decision not to participate will likely make DelDOT and the state much less inclined to assist in future projects.
The most important benefit, we believe, is improved safety. We have seen a dramatic increase in motor vehicle and bicycle traffic along this stretch with many inexperienced and child cyclists. The narrow to nonexistent shoulder and the number of driveways on the southbound side, and cars using the shoulder to pass left-turning cars on the northbound side, make this area of Savannah Road the proverbial serious accident waiting to happen.
Bob and Peg Matarese
Lewes