DelDOT, Lewes propose improvements to Savannah Road

State and city officials have unveiled the latest plan to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety along Savannah Road from the Lewes- Rehoboth Canal drawbridge to American Legion Road in Lewes. 

Slated to begin this fall, the new plan narrows the vehicular travel lanes from 11 feet to 10 feet and adds bicycle lanes on both sides of the road. A 5-foot bike lane is planned for the north side of Savannah Road, while a second bike lane will be added to the existing 8-foot shoulder on the south side. 

A decorative brick crosswalk will be added across Savannah at the intersection with American Legion Road and Massachusetts Avenue, along with curbs on three of four corners of the intersection. 

Savannah Road and American Legion Road will be repaved and re-striped.

The project is estimated to cost $600,000, with the city paying for 20 percent, or $120,000, of the total cost. 

The project is related to two other ongoing DelDOT projects. A trail connection at the end of American Legion Road will take bicyclists and pedestrians to the new trail on a section of former railroad that runs from the canal to the entrance of Cape Henlopen State Park. The connection is underway and nearing completion. 

Also, sidewalks will be improved on either side of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal drawbridge as part of a project to upgrade the bridge with new electrical and mechanical parts, which is slated to begin near the end of 2019.