CAMDEN — The Delaware Department of Transportation will discuss plans in a virtual workshop Sept. 28 to lessen congestion through the Camden area with the potential construction of a bypass.

The workshop, with a question and answer session to solicit public input on the topic of a bypass, is set for 5 to 7 p.m. via the video conferencing app Zoom. To register, go online.

Also to be discussed are a widening project for U.S. 13 between Walnut Shade Road and the Puncheon Run Connector, projects on Walnut Shade Road between U.S. 13 and Peachtree Run, and the extension of the Capital City Trail.

As the Camden area has experienced growth, traffic has become more congested on U.S. 13, with drivers taking side roads or traveling through the town’s historic section.

In 2013, DelDOT proposed widening U.S. 13 by one lane in each direction from the Puncheon Run Connector in Dover to Walnut Shade Road in Woodside. At that time, the proposal was listed at 16 out of 109 on DelDOT’s proposed Capital Transportation Program for fiscal years 2015 to 2020.

A bypass of Camden moved to third place on the proposed CTP in 2016. At that time, the bypass intended to allow vehicles to pass through the Camden area without having to travel through the historic section.

While the workshop is being held virtually, previous workshops have been heavily attended. In 2017, DelDOT’s workshop on the proposed Camden bypass drew about 120 people.

At that workshop, DelDOT proposed adding a third lane in both directions to U.S. 13 to alleviate traffic in the Camden, South Dover and Wyoming areas. The project to widen the highway for 3.4 miles was estimated to cost $65 million in 2017.

The workshop also will provide an update on the Capital City Trail, which is tied to the Camden bypass.

Dover celebrated the completion of Phase II of the Capital City Trail in August. Once completed, the trail will be nearly 15 miles around the city. The final section of the trail, from South State Street to U.S. 13, will be constructed in conjunction with the Camden bypass project.

Attendees will be able to view project displays for the proposed improvements and ask questions and provide comments to DelDOT’s representatives.

The public also may express their views in writing. Comments will be received during the presentation or can be mailed to DelDOT Community Relations, ATTN: John Gaines, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903 or sent via email to dotpr@delaware.gov.

A recording of the full presentation and audience comments will be available on the website within a few days.