This narrative is derived from a letter sent recently to DelDOT regarding traffic control and highway plans.
We started coming to the beach here in the 1970s. Living in Lewes the past 15 years, we noted in the past that the heaviest traffic in southern Sussex County occurred during the months of June, July and August. The rest of the year residents could expect lighter, bearable traffic. In the last two to three years, I have noticed the heavy traffic now occurs all year round. According to a recent article in the Gazette, Sussex County accounted for 78% of the state's residential growth in 2022. Without citing specific statistics, which are available in the article, most residents can agree that this region has grown considerably.
This brings me to two concerns I have with DelDOT. I hope I am wrong, but I cannot help but suspect that DelDOT officials and engineers do not make a point of driving through all the major intersections in this area at different days and times of the week before making traffic plans. One case in point is the roundabout at Malfunction Junction. Although this plan will address some of the issues with this poorly planned intersection, it does not address the long lines of cars that now wait on Route 9 at Route 1 facing both east and west. And the green lights' timings do not account for the increase in traffic at these intersections all the time.
A second issue that concerns me is the plan to build five roundabouts on Kings Highway in Lewes. As sure as I am writing this, when Cape Henlopen High School dismisses, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry discharges cars and the summer crowds arrive, these roundabouts will not only be crowded to the point of disfunction, but also drivers will ignore the roundabouts and start driving over the centers of the roundabouts just as they have been doing at the one on New Road. Tractor-trailers, large trucks and boat trailers presently have a difficult time negotiating these roundabouts. I am not an engineer, but DelDOT needs to address these issues in advance and come up with workable solutions based on actual facts.
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