Project Limits:
The study area is focused upon the State-owned Georgetown-Lewes Rail Line with investigations into storm water management, transportation connections, etc. looking at the lands immediately adjacent to the rail line.

Project Need
The Eastern Sussex County area is rapidly developing. A growing year-round population needs additional transportation alternatives as traffic congestion grows more severe. While on-road facilities are being planned and built, off-road accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians are also needed, especially for vacationers who are not familiar or comfortable using shared roadway facilities. Bike and hiking trails in State Parks and other public lands are one piece of the puzzle. Another alternative suggested by the Delaware Rails-to-Trails/Rails-with-Trails Master Plan is to use abandoned or lightly-trafficked rail lines for off-roadway bike-ped facilities.

Project Overview:
This study looks at one such possible Rail-Trail alignment. The study is a practical look at if and how a trail can be constructed within the rail right-of-way owned by DelDOT while continuing to accommodate rail use. Consideration of adjacent landowners’ concerns is a strong factor in determining an alignment, trailheads, and other key elements, including mitigation of nuisance factors. The final product will be a preliminary plan for a trail alignment or the determination that the project is not practical to pursue.

Anticipated Start Date:
Data collection for the project has been underway since June 2005; public workshops were held displaying the initial concept alignment on August 14-15, 2006 in Georgetown and Lewes.

Anticipated Completion Date:
Review of comments and updates of draft plans should be complete by December 2006.

Current Construction Schedule:
(not applicable) This is a planning study; no construction is planned at this time.

Contractor & Cost:
Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson; $107,000.