DOVER/MILFORD, DELAWARE (9/1/2015) Six projects to improve Route 1 traffic flow in lower Kent County are underway or in planning stages by the Delaware Department of Transportation, including several that will eliminate traffic lights and crossovers on the busy expressway.
U.S. 113/Route 1 bridge at north end of Milford: The bridge, which had been closed for resurfacing in May, will close for 14 days in September while contractor George & Lynch Inc. works on approaches. The south approach will be reconstructed while the north approach will be milled and overlaid. Detours will be in effect. George & Lynch also will seal and stripe the bridge deck. A U.S. 113 southbound ramp will be shifted to maintain a single lane while work is underway. The work may take up to 21 days. The project will cost $560,255.
Thompsonville Road interchange north of Milford: Work is underway on a new overpass that will replace the current intersection of Route 1 and Thompsonville Road. The project also will extend Thompsonville Road westward to the intersection of Church Hill Road and Tub Mill Pond Road. On Sept. 14, DelDOT will close Thompsonville Road and remove the traffic signal at Route 1 and so construction of ramps can begin on the northbound side of Route 1. Those ramps should be open by the spring of 2016. Detours will be in effect. The entire project, at a cost of $15 million, is expected to be complete by the fall of 2016.
Carpenter Pit Road at north end of Milford: 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 and take 32 days.
Little Heaven interchange: DelDOT expects contractor A-Del Construction to begin work in October. The project will construct service roads to the east and west of Route 1 and then construct an overpass to carry Route 1 over Bowers Beach Road, with ramps for accessing the expressway and eliminating the existing traffic signal on Route 1. Until the new bridge is finished, Route 1 traffic will use the new service roads to travel north and south. DelDOT expects the $40 million project to last three years.
South Frederica interchange: DelDOT has not yet advertised the south Frederica project for bids, but anticipates construction to begin in spring of 2016. The project will start with construction of temporary access to the proposed site of the Kent County Regional Sports Complex. A bridge over Route 1 will connect Milford Neck Road and Tub Mill Pond Road, with ramps for accessing the expressway. The project is expected to cost $22 million and take three years to build. Detours will be in effect.
Northeast Front Street interchange at Milford: DelDOT anticipates construction to begin in the fall of 2017. Property appraisal and purchase of rights-of-way is expected to take nearly two years. The project will extend a service road from Northeast 10th Street south to Northeast Front Street. There, a new bridge over Route 1 will connect Northeast Front Street and New Wharf Road, with ramps for expressway access. The project is expected to cost $16 million and take two years to build. Detours will be in effect.
Route 1 traffic light near Milford to be removed next month
Work beginning on new Route 1 interchange near Milford
Details of Little Heaven interchange project