The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is prepared to move forward with six projects to improve the flow of traffic through, and within, the greater Milford area. To help residents understand the work and detours they will encounter in the near future, DelDOT has provided brief project descriptions here.
Thompsonville Grade Separated Intersection: Work is underway on a grade separated intersection that will replace the current intersection of Route 1 and Thompsonville Road. The project will also extend Thompsonville Road westward to the intersection of Church Hill Road and Tub Mill Pond Road. On September 14, DelDOT will close Thompsonville Road and remove the traffic signal at Route 1 and Thompsonville Road so that the project’s contractor, Mumford & Miller Concrete, can start the construction of ramps on the northbound side of Route 1. Those ramps, providing access to and from Route 1, should be open by the spring of 2016. Leaving Thompsonville Road open longer or delaying the removal of the traffic signal would have significantly delayed the completion of the project. Detours will be in effect until the ramps are open. The entire project, which will include a bridge across Route 1, is expected to be complete by the fall of 2016. The project will cost $15 million.
U.S. 113 Bridge in North Milford: The bridge between U.S. 113 and Route 1 will close for 14 days in September while contractor George & Lynch, Inc. works on approaches to the bridge. The south roadway approach to the bridge will be reconstructed while the north roadway approach to the bridge will be milled and overlaid. Detours will be in effect. George & Lynch will also seal and stripe the bridge deck. At U.S. 113 southbound ramp will be shifted to maintain a single lane while work is underway. The road will not be closed. Altogether, work may take up to 21 days. The project will cost $560,255.51.
Carpenter Pit Road: DelDOT expects to close Carpenter Pit Road in October while contractor George & Lynch, Inc. widens the road and converts it from a one-way road to a two-way road. Detours will be in effect. A specific schedule for the work is not yet available. The project will cost $403,831.54 and take 32 days.
Little Heaven Grade Separated Intersection: DelDOT expects contractor A-Del Construction to begin work on the Little Heaven Grade Separated Intersection in October. The project will construct service roads to the east and west of Route 1 and then construct a Route 1 bridge over Bowers Beach Road. Route 1 traffic will use the new service roads to travel north and south until the new Route 1 bridge is completed and opened. When the project is completed, ramps will allow traffic to exit and enter Route 1 northbound and southbound. DelDOT expects the $40 million project to last three years.
South Frederica Grade Separated Intersection: DelDOT has not yet advertised the South Frederica Grade Separated Intersection for bids, but anticipates construction to begin in spring of 2016. The project will begin with the construction of temporary access to the proposed site of the Kent County Regional Sports Complex. The project will include entrance and exit ramps from northbound and southbound Route 1. A service road will run between Milford Neck Road and Tub Mill Pond Road, crossing Route 1 on a bridge in the middle. The project is expected to cost $22 million and take three years to build. Detours will be in effect during construction.
Northeast Front Street Grade Separated Intersection: DelDOT anticipates construction of the Northeast Front Street Grade Separated Intersection to begin in the fall of 2017.The department will begin preparing for the project by appraising property and purchasing right-of-way. That process is expected to take the better part of two years to complete. The project will extend a service road from Northeast 10th Street south to Northeast Front Street. There, the project will construct a bridge over Route 1 between Northeast Front Street and New Wharf Road. The project is expected to cost $16 million and take two years to build. Detours will be in effect during construction. When the project is completed, ramps will allow traffic to exit and enter Route 1 northbound and southbound.
For more information and updates, individuals are encouraged to visit DELDOT’s website at www.deldot.gov.