DelDOT’s mission as expressed in Delaware Code Section 2401 is “developing, constructing and maintaining the state’s infrastructure in a manner that results in a safe, cost-effective and efficient multi-model transportation network that enhances mobility, commerce and livability.” The Preliminary Land Use Service process provides for state agency review of major land-use change proposals. The process is designed to “identify and mitigate potential impact of development, to fully integrate local land use proposals with the provision of state investments, and to bring together agency staff with developers and local … officials early in the process.” DelDOT had the opportunity to provide input during the PLUS review concerning the proposed rezoning for Conditional Use 2360, which requests a conditional-use permit to construct a gas station/car wash/convenience store (Royal Farms) at the intersection of Route 24 and Angola Road. Despite the self-evident problems involving the intersection’s safety and carrying capacity, and the large number of public comments opposing the application, DelDOT did not address the failings of the intersection, or the granting of a conditional-use permit, which would invariably cause further degrading of its condition.
DelDOT rates roads and related structures on a scale ranging from A to F. F is defined as: “The volume-to-capacity ratio is very high, progression is very poor, and the cycle length is long. Most vehicles are unable to clear the intersection on the first signal.” Sussex County and DelDOT in a memorandum of understanding have committed to maintain a D rating where possible for roads and intersections affected by a land-use application. The Henlopen Transportation Improvement District, in January 2018, rated the intersection as having a level of service of F. More alarming is the fact that since that study, more than 3,000 homes have been approved by the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission in the immediate area.
The Route 24 area is also included in the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Plan due to the high number of accidents reported. DelDOT crash data for the period of October 2018 through October 2021 shows that 128 crashes occurred, including 42 at that intersection. The application, if granted, guarantees more of the same. DelDOT regulations require that commercial entrances “should ideally be located outside the functional area of an intersection,” and both the proposed entrance and exit for the store/station are located in the functional area. DelDOT has also planned to widen Route 24 by 2045, which would require the reconstruction or removal of the Royal Farms station. Finally, a traffic impact study is required for proper consideration of the conditional-use application, as stated by DelDOT in a Feb. 25, 2022, letter to the planning & zoning commission. It is past time for DelDOT to exercise due diligence and address the myriad problems posed by the essentially the same previously rejected proposal at the same intersection.
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