I am writing to oppose the proposed Belle Mead development slated for Route 24 across from Saddle Ridge.
The most recent Route 24 dualization project created two lanes each way starting at Route 1 and ending a short distance later where the two schools are located. This minimal project created bumper-to-bumper traffic moving at a snail’s pace.
When the project finally finished, traffic flow improved quite a bit.
The dualization of Route 24 that ended at the schools should have extended much farther west to Route 5 in order to accommodate the multiple housing developments in the Long Neck vicinity.
According to DelDOT, an arterial roadway such as Route 24 should accommodate high speeds and a high volume of traffic to promote mobility and efficient traffic movement. It does not currently meet this purpose, and the Belle Mead project would only exacerbate the situation.
Unless and until DelDOT dualizes Route 24 (plus turning lanes) all the way west to Route 5, neither the proposed Belle Mead project nor any other residential or commercial projects should be approved on that section of Route 24.
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to viewpoints@capegazette.com. All letters are considered at the discretion of the newsroom and published as space allows. Due to the large volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt of each submission. Letters must include a phone number and address for verification. Keep letters to 400 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content or length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Letters should focus on local issues, not national topics or personalities. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days regarding a particular topic. Authors may submit a second letter within that time period if it pertains to a different issue. Letters may not be critical of personalities or specific businesses. Criticism of public figures is permissible. Endorsement letters for political candidates are no longer accepted. Letters must be the author’s original work, and may not be generated by artificial intelligence tools. Templates, form letters and letters containing language similar to other submissions will not be published.
