Route 54 Traffic Meeting Summary
For those who were unable to attend the Route 54 traffic meeting held on November 2, the meeting is summarized below in the form of meeting minutes.
Indian River High School, 29772 Armory Road, Dagsboro, Delaware
November 2, 2017
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Senator Hocker opened the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance. The purpose of the meeting was to bring Sussex County and DelDOT officials together, along with local legislators to address traffic/development issues on Route 54 between Routes 20 and 1. Senator Hocker provided a brief history of recent construction along this area of Route 54, whereby a center turn lane was added to the existing roadway. He explained how he and Senator George Bunting had introduced legislation to address east/west traffic movement from Route 113 to Route 1. The three primary routes were and still are Routes 54, 26 and 24. Routes 54 and 26 have been reconstructed over the past seven years. Plans for Route 24 reconstruction are almost complete. There was a fourth east/west route planned many years ago between Routes 54 and 26, however the public voted not to pursue it at that time. Traffic continues to increase on these east/west routes especially on Route 54 in the areas we are addressing tonight. We are here to listen to your concerns and hopefully identify some solutions to help improve traffic flow along this area of Route 54.
Representative Gray explained that tonight’s meeting was in no way designed to conflict with the Sussex County’s Planning and Zoning Meeting about the 2018 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Unfortunately there were several scheduling conflicts and this evening was the best night for Sussex County Council, DelDOT and legislators to meet. He expressed his appreciation to the public for coming out to voice their concerns and hopefully potential solutions to improve traffic flow on Route 54.
Sussex County Councilman Rob Arlett introduced himself, encouraged input from the community and introduced Sussex County Administrator, Todd Lawson.
Sussex County Administrator Todd Lawson provided a broad overview of how properties in Sussex County are zoned and the process a property owner would follow to change that zoning. Typically, all properties are zoned AR 1, which allows the property to be used for agricultural and residential at a density of two homes to the acre. Property owners interested in developing their land in a different manner than AR 1 are required to go through a Public Hearing process with ultimate approval/disapproval determined by the Sussex County Council. Administrator Lawson’s PowerPoint presentation is attached.
Rob McCleary, DelDOT’s Chief Engineer and Marc Cote’ from the Planning Section shared information on DelDOT’s authority over public roadways. The department is responsible for maintaining the transportation system in a safe and efficient manner. DelDOT has no control over land use. The department cannot deny access to someone who wishes to develop their property. However, they do determine how the property owner gains access to the public road. In traffic improvement projects, like the one on Route 54 a few years ago, there may be a “public taking” of property necessary. When this occurs property owners must be compensated for their land at Fair Market Value.
In new development projects, DelDOT determines the most efficient way to tie into the existing roadway and requires the developer to build this access. There are clear standards to be followed by the department including the number of trips a property is anticipated to generate, the current road capacity, road safety and crash history. The developer is required by DelDOT to make improvements at the entrance or nearby intersection.
On existing roadways, DelDOT can assist with the synchronization of traffic signals, establish turn lanes if appropriate, improve operations and help optimize existing entrances to properties.
DelDOT is tasked with maintaining optimum capacity and safety on existing roadways. As part of their planning process, they also consider traffic projections based on anticipated usage and growth over the next 30 years.
The need for a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) may be triggered on a new project generating 50 cars at peak hour, or 500 vehicles per day. TIS’s are required for entrances generating 200 cars during the peak hour, or 2,000 vehicles per day.
Marc Cote’ also clarified the timing of the traffic counts at the new Royal Farms on Route 54. The traffic calculations for this location were taken in the Summer of 2013. The department added inflation factors that were based upon traffic counters placed in the roadway. The design of the new entrance was based on a linear growth equation.
Several attendees offered written comments that are attached. Other attendees had questions answered by Sussex County and DelDOT representatives.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM.
A special thank you is directed to Master Corporal Mark Little of from DSP Troop 4, the Indian River School District for the use of the auditorium, Assistant High School Principal, Will Revel for assisting with audio/visual, representatives from Sussex County government and DelDOT for their assistance during the evening.
Documents & Submitted Comments
1st Attachment – Todd Lawson’s PowerPoint
2nd Attachment – DelDOT’s Oct. 3rd Meeting/Action Group Minutes
3rd Attachment – Comments provided by Mohammad Akhter in advance of the Rt. 54 Follow-Up Meeting
4th Attachment – Comments from Anna VonLindenberg submitted at the Rt. 54 Meeting in regard to Sussex County P&Z