By Mike FinneyDOVER — Good news awaits drivers who utilize Kenton Road to come into the capital city.
A construction project that has prompted daily backups — not only on Kenton Road but also on Saulsbury Road to the east — is expected to be complete next summer.
C.R. McLeod, the director of community relations for the Delaware Department of Transportation, said work will be entering the third phase of its six-step process this week.
Workers ran into a snag at the very start, he added, since a water line was not where it was expected it to be.
“Even with the best-laid plans, unknown things come up,” Mr. McLeod said. “We thought that the water line was at one place, and it turned out that it was 10 feet in the other direction.
“There were plans to relocate drainage to a certain area, and ultimately, when you get out there, it wouldn’t work in that specific location.”
But, he noted, it’s not unusual for roadwork to run into difficulties.
“You have everything from water, sewer, electric, fiber optic. … With the development around Kenton Road, ... you have all those utility services that are located in the right of way along Kenton Road. For us to perform this project, all of that has to be addressed.
“That has been really a one-year project just to address the utilities themselves. That’s work that we coordinate with the utility companies.”
Phase 3 set to get underway
The third portion of the Kenton Road initiative will begin Aug. 19, between Del. 8 and College Road. It’s expected to last until Nov. 21.
This phase includes installing underground utilities and final paving.
As part of this work, northbound Kenton Road will be closed in that area. But southbound Kenton Road will reopen.
Mr. McLeod added that motorists and nearby residents will see noticeable differences in the street by November.
“We’re expecting our work on the northbound side to go much more smoothly, without those initial delays that we experienced on the southbound side,” he said. “What you will see by the time we’re approaching the end of the year is going to be what Kenton Road looks like in the future.”
That includes additional sidewalks on both sides of the road and more turn lanes.
One major headache awaits
According to the Department of Transportation, one more hassle for Kenton Road commuters is expected, as phase 5 will bring a monthlong closure in March 2026.
Both the north- and southbound lanes of the road will be shut between Turnberry Drive and Mapledale Road for the installation of a roundabout.
It will be installed at what is now the intersection of Kenton and Chestnut Grove roads.
“We’re seeing a lot more traffic using that intersection, and we think the roundabout is a great solution to making sure that traffic is moving through that area safely,” Mr. McLeod said.
The anticipated result
Once complete, the more-than-two-year Kenton Road construction will display new lighting, improved drainage and stormwater facilities, better signal timing at Walker and College roads, and pedestrian lanes.
The project will also add left- and right-turn lanes at all intersections and a shared-use path.
“We still have a ways to go, and we certainly understand ... inconvenience and frustration, but we’re really continuing to ask the community for patience,” Mr. McLeod continued.
“We think the final product is going to be well worth the wait because of all the new improvements that are going to be provided with this. We think this will make a much better roadway for the community.”
Staff writer Mike Finney can be reached at 302-741-8230 or mfinney@iniusa.org.
