Sussex council selects first FAST Track project

Sussex County Council has taken a major step to get long-awaited road improvement projects completed ahead of Delaware Department of Transportation's anticipated schedule. A project not scheduled to begin for at least four years will now get underway in early 2021.

At its Dec. 15 meeting, council voted 4-1 to approve a memorandum of understanding with DelDOT to create the Funding Accelerating Safety in Transportation (FAST) Track funding program, a first-of-its-kind plan to use a set-aside of county funds to jump-start road improvements that are planned, but not imminent on DelDOT's six-year capital projects list.

Under the program, Sussex County will provide funding to expedite the construction of road projects in the county. DelDOT will then reimburse the county the total amount as a project is completed.

Among terms of the agreement, council will have final say on projects selected for the program, all projects must be in DelDOT's six-year capital transportation program, and DelDOT must begin design and engineering work within 60 days once council makes a decision.

The funds will cover design, right-of-way acquisitions and construction, which would all be administered by DelDOT, said County Administrator Todd Lawson. Sussex County will release funds as work is completed and not pay out the entire amount at one time.

County officials are hopeful that by contributing local dollars, giving DelDOT an immediate infusion of cash, projects that are planned for but awaiting state and federal funding would move up on DelDOT’s priority list more quickly.

Projects will be selected based on a number of criteria, with an emphasis placed on safety, development pressure, other infrastructure investments, and ancillary services needs such schools and medical facilities in the area, Lawson said. The program will not circumvent or replace the public’s ability to review and comment on project proposals. Rather, the program is intended to be a mechanism for funding projects already developed through and commented on by the public, he said.

Council selects first project

To get the program started, council voted 4-1 to move forward with funding for the $4.5 million Sweetbriar Road-Hudson Road-Cave Neck Road intersection improvement project, which was not scheduled for engineering work to begin until fiscal year 2025. The improvements could include a roundabout.

“This intersection is a safety concern and under great pressure, with more development coming in the area,” said Lawson. “This will fast-forward this project at least four years.”

The project was ranked 77th in the current DelDOT transportation program, but ranked 5th based on safety concerns.

Councilman John Rieley asked if a monetary cap has been placed on projects council might endorse. Lawson said there is no cap, but the program is designed for smaller projects that can be done quickly.

“This shows a change in the relationship between the county and DelDOT,” said Councilman Irwin “I.G.” Burton of Lewes. “With a 60-day start, we are getting a timeline that produces results.”

“Traffic is the single-largest concern we hear from the public, almost on a daily basis. By working together with DelDOT, providing upfront money for critical improvement projects, we can put our road system on the fast track to one that is safer and more efficient,” Lawson said.

Wilson says priority is wrong

Councilman Sam Wilson, who voted against the memorandum and project, said the county's top priority should be to get the Park Avenue relocation project started, which would allow the county to extend its main airport runway another 500 feet. “We've spent $1 million on it and it hasn't started yet,” he said, referring to land purchases made by the county.

He said the project has been talked about since he was elected to council 12 years ago. “I told people I wanted to see this done before I retired,” he said.

Lawson said the project will start its construction phase in 2021.