Work continues to add new Route 9 traffic signal
Work is continuing to prepare the intersection of Route 9 and Nassau Commons Boulevard near Lewes for a new traffic signal.
In recent weeks, Verizon has been working to relocate its lines. With that process now complete, work has shifted to widening Route 9. Eventually, Route 9 will be widened from Five Points to Old Vine Boulevard with two lanes in each direction; however, that larger project does not yet have a timeline. As part of that project, the the Route 9-Nassau Commons intersection will have turn lanes and through lanes, eliminating Route 9 traffic stacking up behind cars turning onto Nassau Commons.
About half of Nassau Commons Boulevard was recently rebuilt and reopened to traffic July 28, after a months-long closure. The developer of the Vineyards property was required to redevelop the southern end of the road in order to proceed with Phases 4B, 5 and 6 of the community.
The new roadway features a crosswalk, fully marked travel and turn lanes, and bike lanes. However, just north of the entrance to Redner’s Fresh Market, the roadway goes back to a narrow, unmarked, tree-lined street until it meets Janice Road near the base of the Nassau Bridge.
Delaware Department of Transportation spokesman Charles “CR” McLeod said converting Nassau Commons Boulevard to a state-maintained road was a recommendation of the Five Points Working Group, but it remains privately owned.
“We’ve been working with the developer over the last several years to make progress on it; however, the state does not have ownership of the road at this time,” he said.
He added that the developer also does not own the road. They are leasing it from an LLC with an address that aligns with Nassau Valley Vineyards.
“DelDOT would need to acquire the road from the owner to ultimately make a state-maintained road,” McLeod said.
The owners of Nassau Valley Vineyards could not be reached for comment.
“The recent improvements were designed to state standards and signed off on by DelDOT planning with the eventual conversion to a state-maintained road in mind,” McLeod said. “If and when the conversion happens, the department will do an inspection at the time to determine if anything needs to be addressed as part of the acceptance process to ensure it does meet state standards.”
Because the road remains privately owned, McLeod said DelDOT does not have any maintenance responsibility for Nassau Commons Boulevard.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
