DelDOT introduces proposal for Heritage Creek trail

Delaware Department of Transportation officials introduced a concept plan for a proposed shared-use path connecting Heritage Creek and Cannery Village in Milton.

DelDOT engineer Tom Felice presented plans at town council’s June 2 meeting. The proposal includes a 300-foot-long, 12-foot-wide trail with bollards placed at entry points, which would run between Governors Boulevard and Summer Walk Boulevard. Felice said the project would be funded 80/20, with 80% coming from DelDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program and a 20% contribution by the town during construction. 

Felice said at this point, he is taking input from residents and town officials, a process that should last four to eight weeks. The town would need to enter into a project agreement with DelDOT before the design phase begins. Felice said design work would take 18 to 24 months to complete, with the cost and time frame of construction to be determined during the design phase. He said the optimistic outlook is that the project would be put out to bid in spring 2027 and built later that year. Once the trail is installed, the town would be responsible for maintenance.

On hand at the June 2 meeting were a number of Heritage Creek and Cannery Village residents who had questions about the trail. Many wondered why the trail is needed. Felice said one reason is it would connect Heritage Creek to the rest of the town, and because the trail is close to the ballfields at Mariner Middle School, it could serve as an emergency access point that could serve both developments.