Plantation Road/Beaver Dam roundabout partially open in Lewes
Full operations expected next month
LEWES — Though previously reported to be opening in late March, Delaware’s Department of Transportation announced Friday the new Five Points roundabout was partially open to traffic, …
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Plantation Road/Beaver Dam roundabout partially open in Lewes
Full operations expected next month
By LEWES — Though previously reported to be opening in late March, Delaware’s Department of Transportation announced Friday the new Five Points roundabout is partially open to traffic, eliminating the need for detours at Cedar Grove Road and Kendale Road.
“The partial opening of the roundabout is another milestone in the ongoing Plantation Road improvements project, which began in early 2023,” said C.R. McLeod, director of community relations for DelDOT. “The roundabout connection to Route 9 will open in May and we ask drivers to use patience and courtesy as everyone familiarizes themselves with the new traffic pattern.”
The connector between U.S. 9 and both Plantation and Beaver Dam roads remains closed however, and the detours onto Lewes-Georgetown Highway to Dairy Farm Road feeding back into Beaver Dam, and the Del. 1 workaround back onto Plantation Road remain in effect.
The detour onto Cedar Grove Road to Kendale Road to feed back to Beaver Dam Road has been removed.
After the roundabout opens, construction will enter a different phase, expected to last until November. Plantation Road projects include completing the southbound lane merge from two lanes to one, and constructing drainage improvements, roadway widening and installing curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
Also, the southbound Del. 1 connector is expected to open, and U.S. 9 between the traffic light and Church Street are expected to enter its final configuration for this project, according to DelDOT.
After, Church Street will have a cul-de-sac installed, while the existing Plantation Road pavement made redundant by the roundabout will be removed. A shared-use path is proposed to snake through the area.
Around this time next year, DelDOT expects to complete the resurfacing of Plantation Road and cap off the project.
According to DelDOT, this is the 32nd roundabout in use in Delaware, and the 11th in Sussex County. DelDOT explains roundabouts are different from traffic circles, in that they are generally smaller, are designed to slow traffic, and typically do not use signals to direct traffic.
