The state is looking to encroach on some Dover businesses to make an intersection safer.
The intersection of Forrest and Saulsberry has been flagged by Delaware’s Department of Transportation (DelDOT) for its high accident rate. 94 accidents occurred at the crossing between 2015 and 2018.
“It’s something that’s been on our radar through our hazard elimination program where we look at intersections where there is an increasing number of crashes and then we go through our planning process and look at how we can make that intersection safer,” said DelDOT spokesman C.R. McLeod.
The state wants to widen the intersection adding new lanes, along with a multi-use path and sidewalk.
The plan requires Delaware to acquire some private land. There is a Walgreens, CVS and Subway on the corners and McLeod says there is some resistance to the idea.
“We’ve already been working with those businesses just to identify what property that will be adjusted as we’re adding sidewalks and lanes and things like that,” he said. “We’re not looking to take any full properties but there will be some encroachment.”
A virtual public workshop is live on DelDOT’s website for people to comment on the project. It will be up until early next month.
Construction is slated for early 2021 and is expected to cost $3 million.
