Route 1 pedestrian bridges would be expensive

Pedestrian bridges over Route 1 at the Delaware beaches would be an expensive undertaking, according to a recently completed feasibility study. 

Mike Campbell of Delaware Department of Transportation consultant Whitman, Requardt and Associates presented the feasibility study findings during the Five Points Working Group’s April 24 meeting at Cape Henlopen High School. 

After studying the Route 1 corridor from Nassau to Route 24, WRA concluded the only two feasible locations for pedestrian bridges would be at Tanger Outlets Surfside across from Panera Bread, and at Shady Road and Marsh Road near Home Depot and I.G. Burton. Because Route 1 is mostly built out, Campbell said there are significant issues with rights of way and existing utilities. The estimated cost per bridge would be $8 million to $10 million, as opposed to less than $1 million for at-grade pedestrian improvements. The price tag does not include median barriers that would prevent pedestrians from crossing at unsafe areas, said Leah Kacanda, a WRA planner.

“We all know construction costs have been going up recently, and you can do a lot for [$8 million to $10 million],” she said. “We’re weighing our priorities across the area ... a signal and an at-grade crosswalk is more affordable.”

DelDOT recognizes the limited opportunities for pedestrians to cross Route 1 near the Lewes Transit Center, with the nearest crosswalk at Dartmouth Drive about a mile to the south or the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail at the Nassau Bridge north of Five Points. Most pedestrians decide to cross six lanes of traffic instead of walking to one of the designated crossings. 

“A lot of this is anticipating the behavior of [pedestrians],” Kacanda said. “Will they use a bridge? It’s a pretty big expense if they’re just going to walk around it. There are a lot of things we need to weigh and balance here.”

She said they are exploring outside-the-box ideas, such as moving the traffic signal at Route 1 and Wescoats Road at the Baker’s Exxon/to the intersection of Route 1 and Shady and Marsh roads. 

“This is a very high-level, preliminary analysis,” she said. “We don’t want to add any more signals along the corridor, because every signal you add adds more delay. It’s just a window into our process.”

To build a pedestrian bridge without any Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility (only stairs), 164 feet of space would be required, while an at-grade crossing is 124 feet. Including elevators to add accessibility would significantly increase the cost and would also require water for fire suppression, and add long-term maintenance and inspection requirements along with safety concerns. 

An ADA-accessible bridge with an 8.33% grade would require 794 feet, while a bridge with a 5% grade would need 1,064 feet. 

Campbell noted this is not an active project, and there is no funding scheduled for design or construction. If DelDOT chooses to move forward, he said, it could seek grant funding and public-private partnerships. 

DelDOT transportation planner Jennifer Cinelli said the department is often asked if and when pedestrian bridges will be built. She encourages the public to attend a workshop Wednesday, June 14, when the bridges and other Five Points-related topics will be discussed. 

Kacanda said the ultimate goal is to take cars off the road, and make crossing safe for bicyclists and pedestrians. 

“One person using a bike to do a short trip or run an errand is one car off the road,” she said. “The more we can encourage folks who would like that opportunity to take it, the better it will impact traffic.”

A member of the working group asked if WRA had considered tunnels instead of bridges. Kacanda said they took a high-level look at the possibility and found it to be difficult to achieve due to the high water table and sandy soils. Space required would also be comparable to what’s needed for a pedestrian bridge. 

Sussex County Councilman John Rieley, a working group member, said he does not think pedestrian bridges will be effective.

“I don’t see pedestrian bridges working,” he said. “If you’re coordinated with bicycle [path], yeah. The biggest need [for a pedestrian bridge] is on the bike trail out at Cool Spring. People walking across Route 1 on foot aren’t going to walk a mile down to a bridge.”

Working group member DJ Hughes said bridges will only work if pedestrians are forced to use them by blocking the center medians. 

“I think it would be a waste of money to do the bridge and not do that at the same exact time,” he said.

Traffic counts

Kacanda announced at the working group meeting that DelDOT will be undertaking a major traffic count project this spring and summer. Even though the department is constantly collecting data, she said, there hasn’t been a holistic look at traffic in several years. She said the department will use preliminary data collected this spring to tweak traffic signals and continue monitoring traffic flow throughout the summer to ensure things are optimized and working well. 

To learn more about the Five Points Working Group and its efforts, go to deldot.gov/projects/Studies/fivepoints.