Buckle up: These Delaware road projects will likely impact your commute in 2024

Esteban Parra, Delaware News Journal
·5 min read
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Like a motorist on the road, the list of Delaware's street construction projects scheduled for this year keeps rolling.

Here's a rundown of several projects you'll see start or continue across the state in 2024.

(And yes, they'll probably impact your drive.)

I-95/Route 896 Interchange

Work on the I-95 and Route 896 Interchange Project will continue with flyover ramps expected to be built this year. The flyovers will connect motorists on southbound Route 896 to northbound I-95 and southbound I-95 to Route 896.

When the $279 million project is completed late next year, it will be easier for motorists using the interchange to navigate the area and help reduce the chances of crashes occurring. The area saw approximately two crashes every three days between January 2019 to December 2021 — that was 746 crashes, including one fatality.

While most of the road closures have been overnight, DelDOT said there will be some extended closures during the construction expected to run through October 2025.

  • I-95 north exit ramps onto Route 896 will remain closed for the duration of the construction.

  • Route 896 ramps onto I-95 south will close from summer 2024 to spring 2025.

  • The portion of Route 72 that travels under I-95 will go down to one lane in each direction from this summer to mid-2024.

  • There will also be shoulder and lane closures on I-95 and Routes 896 and 72.

An aerial view of the ongoing construction project at Del. 896 and I-95 interchange.
An aerial view of the ongoing construction project at Del. 896 and I-95 interchange.

I-295 widening project

If you've ever been northbound on I-95 approaching the Christiana Mall exit during the summer months, you know how painfully congested the interstate becomes — especially on the weekends.

To help alleviate that, DelDOT is creating additional capacity improvements on I-295 northbound from the I-95/Route 141 interchange to Route 13.

Conceptual plan of project to widen I-295 near the I-95 north split.
Conceptual plan of project to widen I-295 near the I-95 north split.

The designs are being finalized and construction is expected to start later this year.

More: These are Delaware's busiest roads. And yes, they're probably what you expected

Route 13 corridor improvements

The Routes 13/40 Memorial Drive pedestrian improvements project is now entering its fourth year of construction, but perhaps with some of the most visible work underway — fencing.

The fencing, which began going up late last year, will extend six miles and is being placed to deter crossing of the roadway. The corridor has experienced accidents involving pedestrians and the need for improvements has been identified by various studies.

The improvements are part of a multi-phase project which also includes new sidewalks, lighting and pedestrian crossing upgrades with the goal of reducing incidents involving pedestrians in which they get injured or die.

Construction crews work on a recently installed fence along Route 13 near Third Avenue in the New Castle area on Dec. 22, 2023. This is part of the Routes 13/40 Memorial Drive pedestrian improvements project.
Construction crews work on a recently installed fence along Route 13 near Third Avenue in the New Castle area on Dec. 22, 2023. This is part of the Routes 13/40 Memorial Drive pedestrian improvements project.

Project construction is expected to be completed in 2026. Here is what the project entails:

  • Pedestrian facilities between Boulden Boulevard and Rogers Road were completed as part of a pavement rehabilitation project in early 2021.

  • The Route 13 lighting project between Llangollen Boulevard and I-495 was mostly finished in 2021.

  • Some additional lighting was implemented by Delmarva Power in the summer of 2022.

  • The Route 13 median treatment project is underway.

  • Route 13 paving and pedestrian project between Llangollen Boulevard and Bacon/Boulden Boulevards is expected to continue in 2024.

Camden bypass project

Sure feels like there's been a lot of road work south of Dover in the last few years.

Well here is some more: the Camden Bypass Project will provide a new connection from Willow Grove Road and South Street to Route 13.

This project is part of a study adopted into the Town of Camden's Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of this project is to increase safety and reduce traffic congestion along East Camden Wyoming Avenue (Route 10) through Camden. It's also supposed to improve traffic operations at the intersections of Route 13/East Camden Wyoming Avenue and Route 13/Old North Road.

Roadwork plans for the Camden Bypass Project.
Roadwork plans for the Camden Bypass Project.

The roadway and intersections currently have a failing level of service and these intersections are used by vehicles to access schools located on Old North Road.

The roadwork is expected to run into 2025.

Kenton Road project

Work will continue on the Kenton Road widening project from Forrest Avenue (Route 8) to Chestnut Grove Road.

The project will improve roadway operations, as well as facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians along the corridor. The improvements are part of the recommendations made by the Dover/Kent Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Utility relocation has started and is expected to last into late 2024. A public workshop is scheduled for February.

Plantation Road

There are a lot of needed projects for Sussex County which will see its share of new roundabouts and aging and corroded bridges being replaced. Sidewalks and trail extensions will also be added and roads will be widened in the coming years.

More: Growing demand on Sussex County roads: What you need to know about upcoming construction

But this year will see the continuation of the first phase of work on Plantation Road at Five Points. As a roundabout is installed, Beaver Dam Road is closed at Salt Marsh Boulevard and Plantation Road is closed at the entrance to Lowe's. Improvement of the intersection at Plantation and Robinsonville roads is complete. Realignment of the connector road between Route 9 and Beaver Dam Road, at Five Points, has begun.

The roundabout is expected to open to all traffic in May. Work will be substantially completed in the fall, with pavement removal and some nighttime road closures occurring until the spring of 2025.

Phase one of the Delaware Department of Transportation's plans for Plantation Road in Lewes.
Phase one of the Delaware Department of Transportation's plans for Plantation Road in Lewes.

Route 24

The area of Route 24 between Mulberry Knoll Road and Love Creek is under construction, with roadwork expected to be completed early this year. The road is being widened and sidewalks are being added.

Work will begin on the intersection of Route 24 and Angola/Robinsonville roads early this year and is expected to be completed in the fall. It will include road widening and intersection improvements.

Delaware Department of Transportation plans for the intersection of Route 24 and Angola/Robinsonville roads.
Delaware Department of Transportation plans for the intersection of Route 24 and Angola/Robinsonville roads.

Coastal Highway and Minos Conaway Road intersection

This project will create a grade-separated intersection to separate thru traffic on Coastal Highway from traffic turning onto and from Minos Conaway Road, Nassau Road and Old Mill Road. It will also include a bicyclist and pedestrian path.

Construction is set to begin this summer with completion planned for spring 2027.

Here is a YouTube video of how the project will change the area when completed.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware 2024 road projects that will likely impact your commute