For quite some time now we have been in frequent contact with DelDOT to find ways to make sure the intersection of Route 113 near Speedway Road/Alms House Road in Georgetown are as safe as possible for motorists.
Tragically, just in the last month, two fatal accidents occurred in the area. According to Delaware State Police, a motorcyclist and his passenger traveling northbound on Route 113 (April 27) were killed after being hit by a vehicle attempting to cross the dangerous intersection in order to turn left from 113 southbound onto Speedway Road.
Over the years we have been relentless in our conversations with DelDOT in an effort to find permanent solutions for improvement. Many of our constituents travel this area on a regular, sometimes even on a daily, basis.
Following the recent fatality, we immediately contacted the Department of Transportation in Georgetown and DelDOT Secretary Bhatt to again see if there are solutions that we can explore to address these serious safety concerns. As a result of our persistence, Secretary Bhatt is making proposed changes to the traffic flow at this intersection sooner rather than later.
In an email we received late last week, Secretary Bhatt said that he and his staff will “finalize the plans to restrict the cross movement at the intersection. We will also install tubular barriers to better delineate the lefts. This will remove a conflict and clear up confusion at the intersection.”
Secretary Bhatt went on to acknowledge that this, however, is only a short term solution.
For a long time, we have requested that a traffic light be installed at this intersection. While Secretary Bhatt said a traffic signal is not something that could be accomplished quickly and installed in time for the heavy driving season this summer, he has assured us that he has asked his traffic engineers “to expedite a study so that we have the results in time to get the light installed by next spring, assuming it meets the warrants.” He also stated that this will allow DelDOT “to install a temporary solution while still following proper engineering protocol to install a signal.”
We remain committed to stepping up our efforts to ensure life-saving improvements are made to this intersection. And, while we continue to work with DelDOT on implementing permanent solutions, we urge motorists to continue using extra caution while traveling Route 113 in the area of Speedway Road/Alms House Road.
Ruth Briggs King
State Representative 37th District
Brian Pettyjohn
State Senator 19th District
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