On Friday, June 15, 2007, Secretary Wicks announced DelDOT's Recommended Preferred Alternatives for three of the four US 113 North/South Study areas (Milford Area, Ellendale Area, and Georgetown Area). This action was taken after evaluating input from the public and the community Working Groups, after additional detailed analysis and refinement of the alternatives by the Project Team and further consultation with the Federal and State environmental resource and regulatory agencies.
View US 113 Press Briefing Materials.
Watch Opening Statement Video

The purpose of the study is to identify, select and protect an alignment for a limited access highway from north of Milford south to the Maryland state line. A limited access highway will be needed to meet the long-term transportation needs in the US 113 corridor to accommodate existing and planned economic growth and development while minimizing impacts to properties and environmental and historic resources.

DelDOT recommended either the Green or Purple Alternative (Eastern Bypass). View Green or Purple Alternative. The public input from the recent workshop was mixed, with similar support for an East Bypass Alternative and the No-Build Alternative. The Milford/Lincoln Area Working Group did not reach a consensus on a recommended preferred alternative (required a 75% favorable vote), as 15 members voted in favor of the No-Build Alternative and 11 voted in favor of an East Bypass Alternative.

DelDOT cannot ignore the development that has occurred in the Milford/Lincoln area and in Sussex County over the past several years and the development that is planned for the future. It is not a question if that development will occur, but when it will occur.

Thus, the Green or Purple (Eastern Bypass) Alternative, rather than the No-Build Alternative, is DelDOT's Recommended Preferred Alternative. The Green and Purple Alternatives will be presented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as the Recommended Preferred Alternative. A public hearing will be held to obtain further public comment and input. The other Alternatives Retained for Detailed Study will also be presented in the DEIS and at the Public Hearing.
Watch Milford/Lincoln Area Video

DelDOT has been directed, per Bond Bill epilogue language from Senate Bill 155, to continue looking for a solution that achieves local support in the Milford/Lincoln area.  In doing so, it remains our goal to find a solution that not only enjoys local support, but that effectively meets current and future transportation needs and can be permitted by the environmental agencies.

DelDOT met with Milford Area Working Group members individually to discuss the epilogue language and solicit their thoughts in moving forward.

View US113 Bond Bill Report

DelDOT recommends the On-Alignment Alternative, which involves the construction of two additional lanes in and adjacent to the existing right-of-way on the west side of existing US 113 from Hudson Pond to approximately VFW Road. View On-Alignment Alternative. These additional lanes become limited access Southbound US 113. The existing southbound lanes of US 113 become the limited access Northbound US 113. The existing northbound lanes will become a two-way frontage road providing access for properties fronting on the east side of existing US 113. An interchange (overpass with ramps) replaces the Delaware Route 16/US 113 intersection and provides access between limited access US 113 and the local road system. From VFW Road south, to the end of the Ellendale Area portion of the US 113 North/South Study at East Redden Road, development and/or access rights, from the properties fronting US 113, would be acquired by DelDOT. A second interchange constructed in the vicinity of the intersection of Road 213, Old State Road, and US 113, again provides access between limited access US 113 and the local road system.
Watch Ellendale Area Video

Summer 2008

• Complete Environmental Documentation (Environmental Assessment)

• Federal Highway Administration Approval
• Public Notification of Approval

DelDOT's Recommended Preferred Alternative is the Refined On-Alignment Alternative. This alternative is consistent with and responds to the public input from the March 15, 2007 workshop, and is supported by both the Georgetown Area Working Group and generally by the environmental resource and regulatory agencies. View Refined On-Alignment Alternative.

The Recommended Preferred Alternative substantially limits access, meeting one of the key goals of the study, and, over time, will result in a high capacity facility with no at-grade intersections, left turns in or out, or cross traffic. Right-in and right-out access will be retained as much as possible. The conversion of existing US 113 to the Refined On-Alignment Alternative would occur over a number of years, as capacity and safety conditions dictate.
Watch Georgetown Area Video

Fall 2008

• Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

• DEIS and Public Hearings

DelDOT's Project Team continues to analyze the alternatives and consult with the State and Federal environmental resource and regulatory agencies. When this work is complete and in consideration of input from the public, the Millsboro-South Working Group and the agencies, DelDOT will select a Recommended Preferred Alternative for this area. It is expected that this recommendation will be announced in the fall of 2008.
Watch Millsboro South Area Video

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