Nassau bridge underpass on drawing board

State transportation officials want a safer route for southbound Route 1 traffic to access Nassau and New roads and have proposed an underpass along the railroad tracks under the Nassau bridge.

If built, the dangerous crossover in the median just north of the bridge would be eliminated or modified, said Drew Boyce, Delaware Department of Transportation planner.

Proponents agree with DelDOT's plan, but opponents see the proposed underpass as a fast track to congestion that would increase in downtown Lewes. They also say officials should consider the potential impact of more vehicles using New Road, the least used of three entrances into Lewes.

Ranked No. 18 of 94 projects on DelDOT's list, the New Road connector/underpass is the highest priority project in the Cape Region on DelDOT's proposed 2017-2022 capital transportation program. The list was presented to the public during a Sept. 24 workshop in Georgetown.

DelDOT working on design options

DelDOT spokesman Geoff Sundstrom said staff is developing the underpass at the Nassau bridge, just north of the Five Points intersection in Lewes, using concepts presented in the feasibility study, without zeroing on a particular option.

The proposal calls for a right-turn, one-way, single-lane road off southbound Route 1 to the rail corridor under the Nassau bridge to connect to Nassau Road and New Road. The estimated cost of the project would be less than $4 million, according to the feasibility study.

Still in the preliminary engineering stage, Sundstrom said, there is no draft design on paper. The proposed capital transportation program lists engineering for the project in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, rights of way purchases in fiscal years 2018 and 2019, with construction scheduled in fiscal year 2020.

Sundstrom said the challenge is to develop a plan for the road and proposed rail-with-trail under the bridge, where space is limited. He said engineers will have to determine whether the area is wide enough to construct a road and trail at reasonable cost.

Sundstrom said once the road is engineered, design options will be presented during a workshop to receive input from the public.

The study was done in an effort to create a safer and easier way for vehicles, especially those pulling boat trailers, to access New Road from Route 1.

The proposed project would tie into the proposed Georgetown to Lewes rails to trails.

“It's a high priority, and it should be,” said Lewes Mayor Ted Becker, who attended the Sept. 24 workshop. But, speaking for other Lewes residents, Becker said the overall impact on New Road is an issue that needs more discussion.

Some residents are asking for a traffic impact study of the New Road area.

Becker: Concerns with New Road capacity

Becker commended DelDOT for taking a proactive stance to deal with a dangerous situation at the Route 1 crossover. “I think the misunderstanding was how quickly this project was to move forward,” he said. “That's what got people stirred up.”

He said once people understood the timetable – with construction in 2020 – they also understood there was time for more dialogue with DelDOT officials.

Becker said residents' main concern center around the potential for more traffic on New Road. “People are concerned about New Road's capacity and how it should be redeveloped or even if it should be,” Becker said.

Although widening, shoulders or both on New Road has been a priority project listed by Sussex County officials for several years, DelDOT has no plans for New Road improvements.

Becker said he left the Sept. 24 workshop feeling positive there would be more meetings with DelDOT officials to discuss not only the connector road but also to discuss New Road.

Becker said once design options are completed, DelDOT officials will meet with Lewes officials and residents. “We all need to decide what needs to done to make that area safer and make it better without creating a nightmare somewhere else,” he said.

Becker said the proposed New Road connector timetable coincides with another proposed project on DelDOT's list – realignment of Old Orchard Road/Westcoats Corner at Savannah Road. DelDOT has been working for a decade to secure rights of way dedications and is in the process of purchasing a parcel on Savannah Road to accommodate the realignment.

Cyclists in support of proposed underpass

Local cyclists see the road and accompanying bike/pedestrian trail as a safe alternative to crossing busy Route 1 away from heavy traffic.

Cycling advocate Ray Quillen – who helps maintain a bike trail under the bridge – said the road and underpass would give cyclists and motorists a safer way to get across Route 1. He came very close to being hit by a car and has not used the crossover since. For the past two years, he has been on a crusade to raise awareness of the dangerous crossover north of the Nassau bridge.

He's contacted local elected officials and state officials pleading his case. He received permission to cut out a bike path to reach under the bridge for safer cycling access linking the two sides of Route 1.

He says he is surprised by opposition to the proposed road project. “They need to cut out as many crossovers as possible,” he said. “Something needs to be done and this underpass makes a lot of sense.”

Quillen, who lives in Edgewater Estates off Minos Conaway Road, said the approach for people exiting Minos Conaway Road onto Route 1 who want to use the crossover is too short and too dangerous. He said it's more dangerous for people pulling boat trailers and truckers making local deliveries into Lewes.

Quillen said plans for an overpass at the Five Points intersection were thwarted 25 to 30 years ago by local opposition. “And traffic only gets worse and worse there every year. I don't want to see another lost opportunity,” he said.

New Road improvements a better option

John Mateyko, representing Lewes Partnership for Managing Growth, said it's inconceivable how a project with possible ramifications to traffic flow into Lewes was not first discussed with Lewes officials, including the byway committee. “The first we heard about it was about two weeks ago,” he said. “The process has to be slowed down. It has to be placed on hold to get it right. It's a complex issue that needs input from Lewes representatives.”

Mateyko said a better option for DelDOT would be to first improve New Road, a narrow road with no shoulders that serves as a third entrance to Lewes and a main entrance for boat traffic using the Lewes boat ramp at the end of Pilottown Road.

Cape Region projects as ranked by DelDOT

No. 23. Widen Route 24 to four lanes from Mulberry Knoll Road to Route 1; construction in 2018 and 2019.

No. 31. Route 1-Cave Neck Road grade separation; preliminary engineering in 2019.

No. 49. Intersection improvements at Route 24 and Camp Arrow Head Road and Route 24 and Robinsonville Road; construction in 2020.

No. 50. Realignment at Westcoats Corner, Lewes.

No. 58. Plantation Road improvements, Route 24 to Route 9; center-turn lanes where needed; sidewalk and bike lanes; construction in 2022.

No. 61. Mulberry Knoll Road to Love Creek bridge; improved turn lanes in and out of side roads; improve shoulders; construction in 2022.

No. 70. First phase of Lewes Park & Ride facility.

DelDOT ranks projects on several factors including safety, ability to support business and employment, environmental impact and multimodal flexibility.