Sussex County Council Gets Update on DelDOT Projects; Votes on 3 Land Use Applications Deferred

The Sussex County Council received an update on projects and other traffic issues for Sussex County from DelDOT Secretary Shante Hastings. She told the Council about the Capital Transportation Program and the funding available for FY2026 and what will be available for transportation projects. The draft CTP for FY 2027-2032 is currently under review.

Secretary Hastings also updated the Council on several projects that are underway or will soon be underway on Routes 1 and 113 and Route 9. On Route 1 she discussed the ongoing grade separated roadway over Route 16 and that the northbound lane overpass is well underway – and expected to be completed early in 2026 at the latest. Also on Route 1 is the work recently begun at Minos Conaway Road, where DelDOT plans to implement electronic speed safety on the southbound lanes over safety concerns for road crews and drivers. And she mentioned that they are in the process of acquiring right of way for the Cave Neck Road grade separated roadway – and construction on that expected to begin next year.

Route 113 has projects underway in both the Millsboro and Georgetown area. In Millsboro, the North Millsboro Bypass will finally be open next week – the ribbon cutting expected on Monday. Work is also being done on connections to Route 113 for developments west of Millsboro as well as the widening of Route 113 from Route 20/Handy Road south of Millsboro to Route 20/Hardscrabble Road north of Millsboro.

In Georgetown, Sec. Hastings says that construction at Route 113/404 will begin soon and that the grade separated intersection at Route 113 and Route 9 is in the design phase.

On Route 9 in the Lewes area they are in the process of acquiring right of way and utility relocation and the Kings Highway project is in the design phase.

Sec. Hastings also spoke on the Henlopen Traffic Improvement District (TID). This TID is currently operational – with one improvement project completed – 9 projects in the TID in total with nearly enough funding to begin another project. There are three other TIDs in Sussex County – the Southeast Milford District is operational – the Milton and Roxana districts are under development.

The Council had three land use public hearings during the afternoon session. An application for Conditional Use No. 2548 for UUSD and an on-premise electronic sign for the church located on Route 9 west of Lewes has been deferred.

BelMead Farm, LLC location on Route 24 / Image courtesy Sussex County Government

The Change of Zone No 2001 for BelMead Farm, LLC, had an extensive public hearing that went on for 4.5 hours. This is for a rezoning from AR 1 to C4 – planned commercial district – which is a new zone in Sussex County and would have included both commercial and residential property on just under 40 acres on Route 24 adjacent to Beacon Middle School in Lewes. A handful of people spoke in favor of the application and 19 in opposition. The public hearing for Bel Mead has been closed, however the public record has been left open. The Council vote has been deferred.

The final public hearing for Change of Zone No. 2024 for the Christopher Companies. This change of zone is for an AR1 district to an Medium-density Residential planned community for over 94 acres off Roxana Road. Two people spoke in opposition of the application – and both urged the Council to approve the Planning Commissions recommendation of denial. The County Council voted unanimously to defer a vote on the application.

The Sussex County Council will meet on Tuesday, September 23 – the meeting is currently scheduled to begin at noon and a discussion and possible introduction of an ordinance related to marijuana establishments is on the agenda along with other county business. The Council meets in the County Administration building on The Circle in Georgetown.