MILLSBORO, Del. - The North Millsboro Bypass project is still in the design and planning phase, but drivers could be just four years away from a quicker drive around town.
Route 24 traffic typically bottlenecks through downtown Millsboro during rush hour. Project Manager Mark Whiteside says the distance of the bypass would be longer, but the commute would be quicker.
"It's almost becoming a parking lot and what we need to do is get some of that traffic out, especially the truck traffic," Whiteside says. The bypass will start north of Millsboro at Route 113 and four bridges will be constructed. "Going over SR 20, Fox Run Road, the Norfolk Southern Railroad, and the Millsboro pond, as well as Gravel Hill Road," Whiteside says. "That new road will connect to SR 24 west of Mountaire Farms." "The question is for the town, will it be enough?" says Town Manager Sheldon Hudson. "At least to start it will be a two-lane bypass. It won't have two lanes in each direction." Hudson sees the bypass as a business opportunity downtown. "Especially if we can encourage the poultry companies in the area to use the bypass for their truck traffic, I think it will help with the outdoor seating for the restaurants downtown," Hudson says. Millsboro Uncle Willies manager says the bypass would take over the gas station's property. "The town is very congested, but this is a place that's going to be gone do to it," says manager Karen Sanders. "It's kind of sad. God, this place has been here almost 30 years." Sanders agrees the bypass is necessary, but she questions if DelDOT has found the best option for the properties impacted and the environment. DelDOT is aware of environmental concerns surrounding the bypass and says they've been working with environmental agencies during the design process. Whiteside says the environmental statement was finalized in 2017 and that the alignment selected is the best option for the environment. "We know that the Millsboro Pond is a very sensitive area and we were doing our best to try to alleviate specific impacts in the pond," Whiteside says. "We do know that we are building two bridge structures." Whiteside says hiring a contractor by the fall will help mitigate the environmental impact and minimize the construction time and cost. Right now the bypass is a $100 million project. The first phase of construction will begin in 2023. Whiteside says the time it takes to acquire right-of-way for properties on the bypass path will determine when construction of the bypass itself can be begin.