I am writing to oppose the proposed Belle Mead development slated for Del. 24, across from Saddle Ridge.
The most recent Del. 24 dualization project created two lanes each way, starting at Del. 1 and ending a short distance later, where the two schools are. This minimal project created bumper-to-bumper traffic, moving at a snail’s pace. When the project finally finished, the traffic flow improved quite a bit.
The dualization of Del. 24, which ends at the schools, should have extended much farther west — to Del. 5 — to accommodate the multiple housing developments in the Long Neck vicinity.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, an arterial road like Del. 24 should accommodate high speeds and a high volume of traffic to promote mobility and efficient traffic movement. It does not currently meet this purpose, and the Belle Mead project would only exacerbate the situation.
Unless and until DelDOT dualizes Del. 24 (and adds turn lanes) all the way west to Del. 5, neither the proposed Belle Mead project nor any other residential or commercial project should be approved in that section.
J. McIntosh
Millsboro
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
