Lochwood residents want changes on Dorman Road

For several decades, the Lochwood subdivision was the only housing development in the area off Route 24 along Dorman Road near Lewes. And residents in the 240 homes learned to put up with the road configuration at the entrance to their community.

With hundreds of new homes built and many more coming, traffic in the area has intensified, and the narrow roadway with a blind S-curve has gone from being a nuisance to being dangerous, residents say.

Because they have expressed their concerns to Delaware Department of Transportation officials, a traffic study of the area has been initiated.

Charles “C.R.” McLeod, director of DelDOT public relations, said the study should be completed by December, and it will provide recommendations for improvements.

Homeowners Association President Louise Finn said they are asking DelDOT officials to consider a stop sign on Dorman Road near the curve.

“DelDOT tells us that there are no accidents here, but how many near misses have there been?” asked resident Don Palladino.

One of those near misses occurred when the trio was standing near the intersection waiting to be interviewed. Finn was nearly hit by a motorist who swerved too wide around the curve.

“With the increased volume of traffic and hundreds more people using the road, there are more chances for someone to get hurt or killed,” said resident Katharine Dowell.

She said traffic will only increase as more and more motorists use the road as a way to get around Route 24. And, she said, another subdivision, Headwater Cove with 163 lots, is under construction along Dorman Road not far from her community.

Dowell said anyone pulling a trailer out of the community has a very limited sight line. “All they can do is hope and pray they can get out safely,” she said.

Palladino said he was recently stopped by a UPS driver and asked to stand out on the road to tell him when it was safe to go onto Dorman Road.

Finn said she is particularly concerned about children waiting at the community's entrance for school buses. She's contacted Cape Henlopen School District officials to see if buses can pull into the development to pick up students.