Lewes could flip-flop parking in busy Savannah Road corridor

Significant changes could be coming to the Savannah Road corridor in Lewes that was once in the middle of a parking brew ha-ha.

The corridor runs eastbound from North Atlantic Drive past Lewes Brewing Company and the Army Reserve Center, then into town. 

Safety concerns for bicyclists and pedestrians using the Lewes-Georgetown Trail road crossing drove mayor and city council to pass a parking ban on the eastbound side of Savannah Road in January 2025. The ban covered about six spaces in front of the brewery.

At the time, the panel agreed to work with the Delaware Department of Transportation on a more comprehensive plan for the busy corridor.

The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee discussed a proposal for sweeping changes at its March 24 meeting.

Lewes Police Lt. Jim Azato, an ex officio member of the panel, said DelDOT has approved a request from the owner of the Auto Gallery car lot, across from the brewery, to prohibit parking on the westbound side of the street. Parking has been permitted on that side because it is in Sussex County, outside city limits. Azato said DelDOT will be installing no-parking signs on that side.

The new plan under consideration allows parking on Savannah Road, east of the brewery exit up to Drake Knoll, including in front of the former Army Reserve Center. Azato said as many as 15 spaces could be available. He said the city would remove no-parking signs in that part of the corridor. Parking would not be allowed in front of Hazzard’s gas station.

The current bike lane coming off the trail would be retained, but a portion of the bike lane on Savannah Road would be removed in favor of bike sharrows. Under the new proposal, parking would still be prohibited directly in front of the brewery. 

“I know it’s a farther distance, but with parking on Savannah, it does have sidewalks on that side and folks are on the same side of road. I think it’s a little bit safer than back-and-forth across Savannah,” said Mary Roth, bike and pedestrian committee chair.

Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba, an ex officio panel member, said parking cannot be permitted on the Army Reserve Center property because the city does not own it.

The bike and pedestrian panel did not vote on a recommendation to mayor and city council because some members said they wanted to visit the corridor again before making a decision.

Azato said speed limits are being lowered on eastbound Savannah, approaching the corridor from Five Points. They include: 30 mph just past the Dollar General, a 20 mph school zone in the area of Cape Henlopen High School and 25 mph prior to reaching city limits.