LEWES, Del. - DelDOT is moving forward with new road projects, but not without the public's input first. On Tuesday, the agency held a public workshop on the Mulberry Knoll Road Extension PEL Study. The main purpose of this study is to reduce congestion and improve access to development areas to support the growing population in Sussex County. That expansion would span no more than 2 ½ miles.
DelDOT says the study’s focus area originated from the Five Points Transportation study.
"One of those recommendations was the addition of a north-south route that would connect SR24 to route 9, and kind of be parallel to Plantation Road, and kind of alleviate some of the local congestion we are seeing right now,” said Jennifer Cinelli-Miller from DelDOT regional systems planning.
The proposed Mulberry Knoll Road extension would run from Cedar Grove Road and come into Route 9 near the Nassau Vineyard.
“I think it's obvious we need more improvements with the population growing as fast as it is. Any improvement would be helpful, the point is what kind of time frame are they going to get it done? That is the problem,” said Tim Brennan, , a Lewes resident.
Cinelli-Miller says she was happy with the turnout at Tuesday’s workshop, but Brennan isn't the only one concerned about growth.
"One of the biggest complaints we hear across the state, is that developments are coming in and the infrastructure is not there, so this is kind of an attempt to help it happen somewhat at the same time,” she said.
While DelDOT hopes this would ease up the traffic in the future, some locals have already had enough.
“It's getting worse all the time, we stay off Route One as much as possible, Route 9 is getting impossible, we walk as much as possible,” said Beth Hochholzer, a Lewes resident.
DelDOT says it will incorporate community feedback into the concept plans and hopes the study will be complete by 2022. Community feedback is welcome for the next 30 days. Click here for more information.