DelDOT preps for summer data collection in Milton

The Delaware Department of Transportation is planning to collect data during high-traffic summer hours along the Route 16 corridor around Milton to begin preparing for future projects. 

Engineer Stephen Harr told the Milton Transportation Advisory Group April 17 that the department will also begin adjusting its forecasting to include large developments coming into Milton, such as the Granary at Draper Farm. 

The projects include a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Route 16 and Route 30. Harr said delays at that intersection are expected to grow at a faster-than-normal rate as development increases. The roundabout would be put in to make the traffic flow smoother, particularly on Saturdays in the summer, when Harr said a lot of people use Route 30 as a bypass on Route 1 to get from the Milford area to the beaches. 

Harr said additional data will be collected at Route 16 and Mulberry Street, where the plan is to eventually put in a traffic signal. He said motorists have indicated that it is very difficult to make a left turn or for pedestrians to cross from this intersection, and that a traffic signal would improve that. While he did not give a timetable on when a signal would be put in, Harr said it would be very soon.

At Route 16 and Route 5, the traffic signal will stay, but with updated phasing and timing. That intersection will be improved as part of the building of Royal Farms to include left-turn lanes. Harr said that intersection is difficult to do much with because properties are located right up to the edge of the intersection, limiting the ability to expand the right of way. He said while the changes going with the Royal Farms will help move traffic along, they won’t do much to move more traffic through. Harr said additional data at that intersection will be collected this summer. 

As part of its study of the Route 16 and Route 5 intersection, Harr said the department will continue to explore alternatives to divert demand from that interaction or to increase capacity.  

Lead engineer Austin Gray said many of these projects are very long term; the goal of this group is to solicit public feedback and help plan out transportation improvements 10 to 15 years into the future. He said he would like to see more engagement from the public, and DelDOT is planning a public workshop from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, at Mariner Middle School.