Construction on the Route 9-Route 5 intersection in Sussex County got underway Tuesday.
The just under $4 million project seeks to improve what Delaware’s Department of Transportation (DelDOT) calls a “dangerous intersection” in Harbeson.
“This intersection was identified as one needing safety improvements through our Hazard Elimination Program. As you mentioned, there has been numerous accidents there and there have also been numerous incidences of trucks colliding with the cemetery wall of the southwest corner of the intersection as well,” said DelDOT’s communications director C.R. McLeod.
He says by shifting the intersection slightly the overall turning movements for larger trucks will be improved.
The improvements are also expected to lessen the number of rear-end collisions at the intersection.
McLeod reports that 51% of the 110 crashes at the intersection between January 2005 and February 2015 were rear-end crashes.
“We are going to be adding turn lanes and slightly shifting the intersection as well to improve the overall alignment; and really just allowing for a much safer intersection - adding some sidewalk facilities as well. We’ll also be replacing some bridge structures,” McLeod said.
McLeod says DelDOT crews and the contractor David A. Bramble, Inc., closed a section of Route 5 between Diamond Farm Road and Harbeson earlier this week to allow for the bridge replacement.
He says that closure will remain in effect until at least March 21, 2019, weather permitting.
McLeod says the entire project is slated to wrap up by March 2020. But he notes work will pause from mid-May through September of this year to accommodate summer beach traffic.
