American Legion Post 17 opposes sidewalks on its road

Proposal aims to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety at busy Savannah Road crossing

Cyclists head toward the trail at the end of American Legion Road. American Legion Post 17 is on the left. A traffic study on bicycle andpedestrian safety proposes a sidewalk along the left side of the road from Savannah Road to the trail. BILL SHULL PHOTOS

Sean Mcevilly of the Rossi Group, left, shows Doug Spelman the proposal for sidewalks on American Legion Road at a June 11 public informational workshop in the Bonnie Osler Meeting Room. Spelman said sidewalks would have a negative impact on Post 17, especially when it comes to parking for big events.

Francis Dance examines the plan for sidewalks on Massachusetts Avenue. Dance, a member of the Sussex Cyclists club, said he thinks rapid rectangular flashing beacons at the Savannah Road crosswalk would be a good safety improvement.

The intersection of Savannah Road and American Legion Road is especially busy with bicyclists in the summer. Mary Roth, chair of the Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee said the safety improvement proposal is a good start.

Bill Shull

June 21, 2026

Event Date:

Fri, 06/12/2026 - 09:30 am

Doug Spelman is a veteran and member of American Legion Post 17.

He was among the Lewes residents who attended a public informational workshop June 11, to see a proposal for safety improvements to American Legion Road, Massachusetts Avenue and the crosswalk at Savannah Road.

The plan is the result of a Transportation Alternatives Program study by the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Rossi Group.

One proposal is to add sidewalks to the east side of American Legion Road. Spelman said that would have a negative impact on Post 17.

"During major events, our facility relies heavily on on-street parking along both sides of American Legion Road," he said. "Installing a sidewalk or a striped bike-ped walkway will eliminate these spaces. This displacement will force our members and event participants to seek alternative parking elsewhere, disrupting our operations."

The goal is to make the corridor safer for cyclists and walkers going to and from the trail at the end of American Legion Road.

The plan includes the option to have sidewalks on one or both sides of Massachusetts Avenue from Savannah Road to Cedar Street.

Rectangular rapid flashing beacons would be installed at the Savannah Road crosswalk.

"I think this is one of the better ways to create awareness for motorists to be looking out for pedestrians and bicyclists, because we're certainly crossing there all the time," said Francis Dance, a member of the Sussex Cyclists riding club.

Charlie Atwell lives at the intersection of Massachusetts and Savannah. He and his neighbors attended the workshop to get a closer look at the proposal. He said there should be more attention to bike safety and less on sidewalks.

"Sidewalks on Massachusetts? Definitely a bad idea," Atwell said. "There are many more bicycles than walkers through that intersection. Somebody at the city thought [sidewalks] were a good idea, hopefully they're thinking it's less of a good idea [now]."

Mary Roth, chair of the Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, said the proposal is a great start.

"Especially in the season, the sheer number of people that come off the trail, you've got to get them through that intersection and the majority are making a left to come into the city, and it's just unsafe," Roth said.

The cost of the project will depend on which option is chosen.