The article on the $1.25 billion in Sussex County roadwork was very interesting. The projects outlined are well worth it. DelDOT has done a good job in identifying some areas that need attention. Here are a few points to ponder.
With 20 of the 31 projects funded being in eastern Sussex, DelDOT has tacitly acknowledged the growth we are undergoing. We here in eastern, southern Sussex are under-represented on our county council. District 5 spans from the ocean to the border of Maryland. Growth levels across the county differ and the project list reflects that. With the 2020 Census, Sussex County district lines should be redrawn to reflect the population growth in eastern Sussex, and the growth in development Sussex County Council has already approved.
The road work list did not include the realignment of Sloan and Hollymount roads just west of Burton Pond. With development underway on all corners now of those two roads, the two roads most affected, both intersecting Route 24, will be more dangerous than they already are. I totally avoid traveling on Hollymount as I can no longer safely turn left onto Route 24, and haven’t in years. And what happened to the Millsboro bypass?
I was surprised to see Route 24 characterized by DelDOT as a major road in the same breath as Route 1. Route 1 south of Five Points to the Forgotten Mile has six lanes, a bus lane and right-turn-only lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, lots of lights and U-turn opportunities, and pedestrian-only lights. It also has cameras to capture red-light offenders. North of Five Points and south of the Forgotten Mile, Route 1 is a four-lane road. On the other hand, Route 24 is two lanes from Plantation Road to Millsboro, has several lights, no opportunities for U-turns, no bike or bus lanes, no sidewalks and inadequate turn lanes. While dualization is planned up to the Love Creek bridge, nothing is planned continuing on to Millsboro. Yet rapid growth both in commercial opportunities and residential development is rampant. If anyone at DelDOT is reading this, Route 24 is not a major road.
This brings us to building a new Love Creek bridge, or making the current bridge four lanes. Until that happens, Route 24 will remain a country road, one overburdened with traffic. Why is there nothing in the plan to address the bridge? It’s no surprise dualization of Route 24 west to Millsboro ends at the bridge.
Interconnectivity is mentioned as a DelDOT initiative with access points connecting to Routes 1 and 24. When Route 24 is actually made into a major road and has the attributes we see on Route 1, maybe I can take that more seriously. For now I see it as a convenient word to mean more traffic being pushed onto Route 24. And oh yes, just add an ill-advised 7-Eleven to the mix on the Angola Road corner, Route 24 will become more unsafe than it already is, and remain less than a major road.
Judy Kane
Angola
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