Short-term changes set for Cave Neck Road intersection
Cave Neck Road at Hudson Road and Sweetbriar Road is dangerous: 16 traffic crashes occurred in this area over two-and-a-half years, 11 of which occurred in clear and dry conditions.
Department of Transportation officials presented a short-term solution to residents Dec. 4 at Mariner Middle School. Peter Haag, DelDOT project manager, said the goal is to reduce driver confusion at the oddly configured intersection.
“We know there’s a sight restriction,” Haag said. “If we get the support to do this, we can have it done by the spring.”
The only change proposed to the current configuration is to convert a small section of Sweetbriar to one-way, which would force motorists to enter or cross Cave Neck Road where there is more visibility for all drivers.
From the south, Hudson and Sweetbriar roads angle toward each other. Both intersect Cave Neck Road about 300 feet apart before they meet on the north side of Cave Neck Road.
The existing layout creates a triangle north of Cave Neck Road. The short-term solution proposes northbound traffic only on the 200-foot section of Sweetbriar Road north of Cave Neck Road.
Drivers heading southbound on Sweetbriar Road from Hudson Road would have to use the Hudson/Cave Neck Road intersection.
“Because this is short term, if for some reason it doesn’t address what we’re hoping, we can remove it and put it back to the two-way condition,” Haag said.
Though sight lines are an issue, local resident Connie Heindel said speed of vehicles is one of her top concerns. She said a traffic light would be the best course of action.
“What would work best … is a traffic light because drivers would be forced to stop,” she said.
Geri Ludlam has owned a home at the intersection since 1993 and lived there permanently since 2000. She said the number of accidents has risen significantly over the years. DelDOT’s crash statistics end at 2015, but, she said, it’s gotten worse since. She estimates there are at least two accidents a month at the intersections.
She said DelDOT’s fix does not go far enough. She said the entire 200-foot section of Sweetbriar Road north of Cave Neck Road should be closed. Then, she said, Hudson Road could be realigned for better sight lines. She also says a light would be ideal.
Ludlam and Heindel were each concerned about proposed development in the area and how it could affect the Cave Neck Road intersections.
A developer has proposed a project called Compass Point, which calls for 277 homes on 135.5 acres just south of Cave Neck Road between Hudson and Sweetbriar roads, with entrances on each.
A second development is proposed on Hudson Road about a mile north of the intersections with Cave Neck Road. The developer is seeking to build 61 homes on 80 acres.
On Sweetbriar Road, Cape Henlopen School District is considering the construction of a 98,000-square-foot building for the Sussex Consortium, which would serve county’s autistic program.
Long-term solutions
Haag said DelDOT has some ideas for permanent solutions for the intersection, but those are not likely to come to reality anytime soon.
Two options involve a roundabout: A three-legged roundabout where only three approaches connect, which theoretically would include Cave Neck Road from two sides and one other approach from Sweetbriar or Hudson. The other roads would have to connect to Cave Neck Road elsewhere. There is also a four-legged roundabout option where four roadways enter the roundabout, reducing the current layout from two intersections and six approaches to four.
DelDOT is also considering a connector road from Sweetbriar to Hudson, south of Cave Neck Road to eliminate one intersection.
“We allow flexibility once they go into the design aspect in terms of of right of way, utilities, drainage, environmental aspects,” Haag said.
The eventual long-term solution could be any of the proposed options or other remedies not yet considered.
Once DelDOT is ready to move forward with a project, it would be nominated for the Community Transportation Program to receive funding.
