Changes needed at Route 1-Hudson Road

Yet another serious accident occurred at the intersection of Route 1 and Hudson Road last week — the second major crash at this location in just a few months. Each time, Route 1 was shut down and traffic was diverted onto alternate routes, causing widespread disruption.

This most recent incident was particularly disastrous, as it happened on a Friday afternoon at the start of a holiday weekend, compounding traffic woes and public safety risks.

Hudson Road has become a popular alternative route for travelers heading westbound to Route 9 or south to destinations like Long Neck in an effort to avoid congestion in the Five Points area. It's also a key commuter corridor, often backed up during morning and evening rush hours.

With many drivers exceeding the posted 55 mph speed limit on the straight stretch between Route 16 and the Nassau Bridge, this crossover has grown increasingly dangerous. It’s long past time for meaningful action.

At a Five Points Working Group meeting in April 2019, Delaware Department of Transportation officials proposed several projects to be completed by the end of that year. Among them were short-term improvements to four Route 1 crossovers between Milton and Lewes. While upgrades were made at Cave Neck Road and Route 5, progress at Hudson Road and nearby Eagle Crest Road has lagged significantly.

Public crash data shows more than 60 accidents at the Route 1-Hudson Road intersection between 2011 and 2023. That’s not just a statistic; that's a red flag. The urgency is real, and something must be done.

At the same time, drivers must do their part. Sitting at the front of the line waiting for a safe gap in traffic can be frustrating, but taking risks isn’t worth the cost. Don’t gamble with your life, your passengers’ lives or the lives of others on the road.

Until DelDOT makes long-overdue changes at this and other dangerous intersections across the Cape Region, be patient, be courteous and be safe.