Round Pole Bridge Road not built for Twin Masts’ traffic
Announced on the front page of the Oct. 31 edition, the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission OK’d the preliminary plan for Twin Masts on Round Pole Bridge Road in Milton.
I would like to share some facts regarding Round Pole Bridge Road. The road is less than four miles long with eight curves, five of which are 90-degree curves. It is an 18-foot-wide tar-and-chip road with 40 homes. Round Pole Bridge Road has been classified as a local farm road by GPS. During the summer months, the curves become more hazardous due to the corn crops. In the past five years, according to transportation expert Betty Tustin, there have only been nine accidents on Round Pole Bridge Road. With increased traffic, the number of accidents will certainly increase.
Yet, with the facts that I have listed, the Delaware Department of Transportation did not see a problem with a subdivision with 249 homes – an increase of 623% of homes on this road – which could increase traffic by 2,000-plus vehicles – an increase of 800-plus percent in traffic daily.
Previously, developers who have applied to build on Round Pole Bridge Road have been required to reduce the number of homes in the plan due to the condition of the road.
Meadows at Creek Run originally requested 53 homes, but it was reduced to eight, or 15%, while Lockhaven with 25 homes was denied by P&Z. Twin Masts asked for 249 and was approved for 249 based on the most recent evaluation/report from DelDOT. As a resident of Round Pole Bridge Road, I have not seen any changes made to the road, so I do not understand how DelDOT can consider a development of 249 homes that would increase traffic by 800-plus percent not a problem. According to DelDOT, increasing the frontage road in front of Twin Masts would improve traffic. Can DelDOT explain how a small area will improve an entire road with an 800-plus percent increase in traffic?
I understand there needs to be growth, but it should be at a reasonable and sensible rate.
I would like to request DelDOT complete another evaluation of Round Pole Bridge Road and provide that to P&Z.
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