Work on trail along Route 9 underway

Phase 7 of the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail is well underway.

This phase, from Cool Spring Road to the Fisher Road-Hudson Road intersection between Lewes and Harbeson, varies from all other phases, which have followed an abandoned railroad line.

Because there is not a signalized crossing of Route 9 at the Cool Spring intersection, the trail will run parallel to the north side of Route 9 to the Hudson Road intersection, which will have a push-button-activated crossing for cyclists and pedestrians.

The project also includes a trail spur along the rail line from Fisher Road to Stephen Hudson Park on the south side of the Cool Spring Road-Route 9 intersection. The Sussex County Land Trust has plans to construct a trailhead in that area. Trail work is expected to be completed in October.

Delaware Department of Transportation awarded a $1.18 million contract to Mumford and Miller for the phase. 

So far, six phases of the trail have been completed, with five remaining. The most recent section, from Parsons Lane to Airport Road behind Sussex Academy in Georgetown, was opened in November 2021. The first phase, from Gills Neck Road to Savannah Road in Lewes, opened in October 2016. When completed, the trail will be 17 miles long.

Completed sections

Lewes to Cape Henlopen State Park, 9,000 feet

Savannah Road to Gills Neck Road, 6,000 feet

Minos Conaway Road to Savannah Road, 17,250 feet

Log Cabin Hill Road to Minos Conaway Road, 8,400 feet

Cool Spring Road to Log Cabin Hill Road, 4,250 feet

Georgetown to Airport Road, 4,800 feet

Remaining sections

Fisher Road to Cool Spring Road, 7,300 feet

Harbeson Road to Fisher Road, 7,850 feet

Gravel Hill Road to Harbeson Road, 9,250 feet

Park Avenue to Gravel Hill Road, 8,600 feet

Airport Road to Park Avenue, 6,200 feet