LEWES, Del. - Cones, construction vehicles and traffic delays have become a daily reality along Coastal Highway near Five Points, where multiple major road projects are underway within a three-mile stretch.
Just three miles north, another major infrastructure project is underway. The Old Orchard Road realignment project, years in the making, is now in progress and expected to last more than 1,000 days.
The largest project centers around the Minos Conaway Road area near the Nassau Bridge on Route 1. Plans include three new roundabouts and additional connecting lanes designed to reduce dangerous crossings. Once complete, the project will eliminate eight crossovers along Route 1.
From Minos Conaway Road to Old Orchard Road, at least five separate work crews are operating simultaneously in the busy corridor as part of a broader effort to improve safety and traffic flow in one of Sussex County’s most congested areas.
The largest project centers around the Minos Conaway Road area near the Nassau Bridge on Route 1. Plans include three new roundabouts and additional connecting lanes designed to reduce dangerous crossings. Once complete, the project will eliminate eight crossovers along Route 1.
Construction crews are currently working near the bridge, where a new roundabout will eventually connect to Janice Road. A short distance away, a second roundabout will link traffic coming from beneath the Nassau Bridge to New Road. The third and final roundabout will connect to a service road near Minos Conaway Road once paving is complete.
The Minos Conaway project carries a price tag of approximately $36 million and is expected to continue through the summer, with completion projected for mid-to-late 2028.
Neighbors worry Minors Conaway project could put pedestrians, cyclists at risk. Marie Torrey, who lives near the work zone, said she walks and rides her bike often to the Lewis Senior Center and is concerned the road could go through without proper crosswalks or flashing lights. “I’m worried people could get hurt crossing the street if nothing is done to make it safer,” she said.
Residents say the changes are long overdue. Linda Allbrand, who has lived in Sussex County for 16 years, said navigating the area has been difficult and sometimes dangerous.
“We try and go out that way it was really bad trying to get across four lanes of highway to merge,” Allbrand said. “So hopefully this will help.”
Just three miles north, another major infrastructure project is underway. The Old Orchard Road realignment project, years in the making, is now in progress and expected to last more than 1,000 days.
The $11 million project will connect Savannah Road to Old Orchard Road, adding a new intersection and a roundabout at Wescoats Road. For some residents, the constant construction is becoming the new normal. “If you don’t pay attention and slow down here, you’re either going to hurt somebody, run off the road, hit a pothole or get a big ticket,” said Bruce Kamich, who lives in the area with his wife, Susan.
DelDOT officials say the long-term goal is to reduce congestion and improve safety along one of Delaware’s busiest coastal corridors.