Route 1 expansion project
The 2.7 miles of white concrete barriers placed along Route 1 between Five Points and Route 24 have become motorists’ worst nightmares.
With work beginning on the median of the Route 1 expansion project, traffic in the southbound lanes has been restricted to two lanes since the second week of August. Three lanes are available northbound.
Business owners along the busy corridor are feeling the pinch caused by traffic problems during the crest of the summer season.
Long delays, traffic jams throughout the day and night, and gridlock conditions during peak travel times are commonplace. Running backups on Route 1 stretched as far as Frederica the past two Saturdays.
Darrel Cole, director of Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) public relations, said it was imperative to start Phase 2 of the project in early August to maintain the construction schedule. The $9.8 million project is scheduled to be completed before the start of the next summer season.
Cole said officials realized restricting traffic during the busiest time of the summer season would cause problems, but it was a choice of now or possibly later, he said.
“Our fear is that any delay would extend the project into next summer,” Cole said. “Our objective has always been to get this project done as soon as possible.
Any delays could put the schedule in jeopardy and place completion into July or August of next year.” The two-year project is scheduled to be completed in April 2008.
Peak of season
Chris Holdridge, assistant manager of Route 1
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The Captain’s Cottage, echoes what many shopowners on the southbound lanes of Route 1 are saying. “I can’t understand why they did this in the middle of summer and didn’t at least wait until Labor Day,” he said.
August is the store’s busiest month during the summer season, but not this year. “This construction project has had quite the detrimental effect,” he said.
Holdridge said access to the store, and the entire shopping center, is restricted. Some motorists are forced to make a U-turn to approach the shopping center. “They have cut off our travel lane. It’s not a pleasant shopping experience when people are fuming and upset about being stuck in traffic,” he said.
Cole said keeping access to businesses along Route 1 has been a high priority since the project started last September. “No businesses have restricted access,” he said. “If they do, they should contact DelDOT. It may not be as convenient as they are used to, but all businesses have access.”
“People have to make a point to get here, and that’s not great for business,” Holdridge said.
Holdridge also questioned the use of the concrete barriers. “It was my impression that barrels would be used,” he said.
