Savannah-Wescoats turn-lane work starting
In advance of the Old Orchard Road-Wescoats Road realignment project, rehabilitation and repaving of the right-turn lane from Savannah Road onto Wescoats Road started Feb. 20. Motorists can expect lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Monday, March 13.
The realignment project is scheduled to begin this fall with utility relocation as the first phase. Work is expected to take place throughout 2024 and 2025.
The project includes the realignment of Old Orchard Road with Wescoats Road and the creation of a four-legged, signalized intersection with Savannah Road, with improvements to Old Orchard Road from the intersection to the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail crossing.
It also includes the addition of a roundabout at the Marsh Road-Wescoats Road intersection and realignment of the Clay Road-Marsh Road intersection.
The $15 million project will also provide new sidewalks, bike paths and crosswalks.
A section of Old Orchard Road at the current intersection with Savannah Road will be abandoned, with a new road section completed starting at Parker Run in the Villages of Five Points and going to the new intersection.
Several new entrances will be constructed for businesses in the project area with most as right-in, right-out access only.
Sidewalks to connect to the current Villages of Five Points trail, and bike paths are included in the project.
The new Savannah Road intersection will provide crosswalks with pedestrian refuge islands, and right-turn, left-turn and through lanes.
The vacant parcel for the new alignment includes land along Old Orchard Road and land adjacent to Dollar General on Savannah Road.
Another major component of the project is a new roundabout at the intersection of Marsh Road and Wescoats Road, which will include new entrances to businesses in that area. Phase 6 of the project includes construction of the western half of the roundabout; Phase 7 includes construction of the eastern side.
Included in the nine phases of the project is an upgrade and widening of the existing Villages of Five Points trail along the west side of Old Orchard Road from Savannah Road to connect to the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail. The trail crossing at Old Orchard Road will be realigned and moved slightly northward, farther away from the Atlantic Concrete entrance.
