Transportation district a win-win
Two of the biggest issues in Sussex County - roads and land use - were discussed last week when DelDOT Secretary Jennifer Cohen appealed to county council to establish a transportation district in the Lewes-Rehoboth area.
The concept, a land-use agreement with a transportation component, represents a win-win for the state and Sussex. It would help craft a sorely needed plan for future road infrastructure, while providing money from federal and state sources, and developers, that has not been available in recent years. It would also provide transparency, as the public would be given a clear vision of the future of an area in the state’s fastest-growing county.
DelDOT assures the district would be laid out using the most current information and it will allow for changes. The plan would also provide developers a more predictable process, which would no doubt lessen frustration.
Councilman George Cole said Sussex needs to step back and review the process, and told Cohan to “march back to Dover, and let us think about it.”
Councilman Rob Arlett seemed cautiously optimistic of the measure, citing a successful Middletown district that resulted in $40 million for infrastructure improvements, with developers paying for 30 percent of road work.
Councilwoman Joan Deaver spoke in favor of the idea, calling it a great place to start. Council President Mike Vincent laid out a challenge to other council members: “Shame on us if we don’t make an effort.”
Cohan said Gov. Jack Markell has given the green light to go as fast and hard as possible toward the project’s fruition.
As eastern Sussex continues to grow and traffic continues to choke intersections such as Five Points, there should be no hesitancy in taking advantage of this opportunity. The benefits outweigh any foreseeable negative impact, and timing is ideal as the county begins to update its land-use plan.
Sussex County Council should move forward in creating a Lewes-Rehoboth transportation district and pave a thoughtful way for the future.
