DelDOT designing Route 9 pedestrian bridge

After years of debate, a pedestrian bridge over busy Route 9 could be coming to Cool Spring. 

Sen. Chris Coons recently shared congressionally funded projects included in the appropriations package passed by the Senate. In total, $68 million was secured for Delaware projects. 

Among the recipients is the Delaware Department of Transportation for completion of the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail, including a new pedestrian bridge and approaches. 

According to Charles “C.R.” McLeod, DelDOT’s director of community relations, the funds will go toward design of a pedestrian bridge over Route 9. 

“The funding will be used to move forward with design for an elevated trail crossing on Route 9 at Cool Spring,” McLeod said. “We don’t have dedicated project funding yet or a timeline – the design work will help determine the exact layout and rendering of the structure, and provide us with an estimate of what the project will ultimately cost to build, so a lot of details are still to be determined.”

The final phase of the trail is projected for completion in late 2026. This six-mile stretch, running from Airport Road in Georgetown to Fisher Road in Milton, will complete the 17-mile, $17.4 million project, making it Delaware's longest continuous trail. The first phase in Lewes opened nearly a decade ago in October 2016. 

In 2017, the section of railroad that runs from Cool Spring to Lewes was decommissioned after it was determined that repairs to the swing bridge over the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal in Lewes would be too costly. While the trail’s first phase was built adjacent to the railroad, future phases between Lewes and Cool Spring were built on the former railroad track after it was removed. Railroad tracks remain from Georgetown to the Harbeson area. 

It’s unclear if DelDOT has decided to move forward with a bridge for the trail. In December, the Delaware Bicycle Council approved a grant of $35,000 to Sussex County for a feasibility study for a tunnel under Route 9 at Cool Spring at the same location. 

“Sussex County has been in contact with DelDOT representatives and will coordinate efforts to ensure we are working together to determine the feasibility of either crossing, whether it be a bridge or a tunnel,” said Chip Guy, Sussex County’s communications director. 

The Stephen P. Hudson Park trailhead sits on the south side of Route 9. Trail users are discouraged from crossing Route 9 at the park. Instead, the safest way to cross Route 9 now is to travel to Fisher Road, cross Route 9 at the signal and then head back east. 

McLeod said DelDOT is committed to the pedestrian bridge.

“Yes, [we are] committed to the project; however, the project is not currently in our six-year capital transportation program, so it will need to be added and funded once a preliminary concept and estimate are completed,” he said.

Other funded projects in Sussex

• Better Homes of Seaford – $716,000 for construction of affordable housing in Seaford 

• Children and Families First Delaware Inc. – $632,000 for renovation and expansion of a foster youth home in Seaford 

• Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware Inc. – $2.5 million for construction of affordable housing in Milford 

• Milford Housing Development Corp. – $750,000 for construction of affordable housing in Kent and Sussex counties 

• NeighborGood Partners – $2 million for construction of affordable housing in Laurel 

• Sussex County Habitat for Humanity – $1 million for construction of affordable housing in Sussex County.