DelDOT Update on projects impacting the John J. Williams Highway near Oak Orchard & Long Neck

DELDOT provides an update on roadway construction near Oak Orchard – Long Neck.

Illustrated herewith is a construction schedule regarding roadway construction projects on John J. Williams Highway within the Indian River Fire District.

•  HSIP SR 24 at Mount Joy Road and SR 24 at Bay Farm Road Intersection Improvements

Project Description: The project includes pavement widening to add/extend right and left turn lanes on all approaches at both the SR 24/Mount Joy Road and SR 24/Bay Farm Road intersections; multimodal improvements including bike lanes, bus stops, sidewalks, and crosswalks; access management improvements; and drainage improvements.

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: Spring 2023

Project Update: Construction began in March 2022 and is currently in Phase 2.

Additional project information may be viewed at https://deldot.gov/projects/index.shtml?dc=details&projectNumber=T200711201.

•  HSIP SR 24 at SR 5 / SR 23 Intersection Improvements

Project Description: The project includes providing consistent lanes, shoulders, and curbs; extending SR 24 left turn lanes; extending the SR 23 left turn lane onto westbound SR 24; multimodal improvements including bike lanes, bus stops, sidewalks, and crosswalks; access management improvements; and drainage improvements.

Project Phase: Construction

Projected Construction Completion: Spring 2023

Project Update: Construction began in June 2021 and work is currently in Phase 3 on the eastbound side of SR 24

Additional project information may be viewed at https://deldot.gov/projects/index.shtml?dc=details&projectNumber=T201200903.

Additional information may be viewed via the following websites:

(1)  Cape Gazette – https://www.wrde.com/news/route-24-roadwork-causing-traffic-delays-now-making-roads-safer-later/article_5907c48e-18f9-11ed-b852-7ff399da615b.html

Route 24 Roadwork Causing Traffic Delays Now, Making Roads Safer Later

By:  Cody Decker

MILLSBORO, Del.- Some are calling Route 24 driving through chaos lately.

DelDOT is not trying to make it chaos at all as it works through John J. Williams Highway bit by bit.

Right now, three consecutive intersections from Route 5 to Mount Joy Road are being worked on to make them safer. Crosswalks and drainage improvements are just part of the puzzle.

Community Relations Director C.R. McLeod says there have been concerns raised about why the work is being done now.

"Why do we continue these projects during the summer when we usually try to back off and limit the construction, and the simple answer is we can’t afford to wait," McLeod said. "We need to get this work done as quickly as possible to make these intersections function better. Make it safer."

Bike lanes, turn lanes, and sidewalks are more parts being added to the intersections and that is due to the amount of people in the area growing.

Jennifer Merritt of Oak Orchard says there are huge delays for her trying to get something to eat during her lunch break.

"Travel for me is a half an hour just to go to from here down to Harris Teeter or Wawa so what would normally take me a half an hour to get to lunch takes me over an hour at the worst at this point," Merritt said.

Chase Murray of Dagsboro who is a relatively new driver says the traffic is a nightmare especially for a rookie like him on the roads.

"No matter what time of the day it is, in the morning it’s really backed up and trying to leave I’m taking a few minutes just to try and get through the intersection," Murray said. "It definitely makes me nervous just especially with people texting and driving I feel like traffic definitely does make me nervous."

Delays now at three main spots but DelDOT has more plans along the corridor this year.

While the intersections are in different phases of construction, this stretch of the project is expected to be completed by Spring of 2023.