DelDOT planning roundabout on Gravel Hill Road near Milton

The Delaware Department of Transportation is proposing a roundabout at the intersection of Gravel Hill and Sand Hill roads outside Milton. 

Representatives from DelDOT solicited public input at Milton Elementary School Aug. 13.

The proposal calls for removal of the existing flashing lights and four-way stop at the intersection. The project also includes repairing a culvert at the intersection and replacing the guard rail along the side of Gravel Hill Road approaching the roundabout.

“This has been identified as a high-crash location,” said DelDOT Project Manager Mark Whiteside. “What we’re going to do is help alleviate those crashes and accidents, especially from a severity level, injuries, by proposing a roundabout.”

Whiteside said the timeline for the project is to do preliminary designs this year, begin acquiring rights-of-way in spring 2026, complete final design by summer 2027, and begin construction and finish the project in 2028. 

In 2020, the intersection was converted to an all-way stop, but Whiteside said DelDOT has continued to see crashes, particularly right-angle crashes where cars collide when trying to pass through the intersection at the same time. He said DelDOT data shows 40 crashes since the all-way stop was added.

Whiteside said roundabouts have proven to reduce the severity of accidents by reducing speed, as cars have to slow down to go through, and because roundabouts are a circle, angle crashes are reduced. 

He said that while all-way stops are meant as an inexpensive interim improvement, they don’t keep traffic flowing as well as a roundabout. He said it’s safer than a traffic light because it doesn’t allow for motorists trying to speed through an intersection. 

Whiteside said the project is estimated to cost $5.5 million. See the DelDOT project portal at deldot.gov/projects.