Vandyke Road, School Bell Road, And Route 40 Intersection Project Workshop

Bear -- The Delaware Department of Transportation and property owner, Route 40 LLC, are holding a joint public workshop as required by Delaware Code to present to the public proposed road improvements and subsequent private property impacts required for the proposed School Bell Crossing Shopping Center.

In accordance with 29 Delaware Code subsection 9505(15) b, a public workshop has been scheduled from 4-7 p.m. on July 14, 2009 at the Bear Library, Community Room 1 at 101 Governors Place in Bear to address the Delaware Administrative Code Title 2 Transportation, 2300 Division of Planning and Policy and 2308 Development Related Improvements Requiring New Rights-of-Way. Information will be presented at the meeting to discuss the improvements and impacts. Representatives of the developer, Harvey Hanna & Associates, Inc., and DelDOT will be in attendance to answer questions and take comments.

The improvements and acquisitions will be done at the expense of the developer.

Generally, the proposed transportation improvements will be located adjacent to Route 40, starting at the intersection of Route 40 and VanDyke Road, New Castle County, and will generally consist of an intersection upgrade (including, but not limited to, new signals), roadway alignment and widening to accommodate left turns, right turns and through traffic entering and exiting the proposed shopping center. These improvements will also include a new service road connected to the improved intersection and running parallel to Route 40 to allow, among other things, various properties bordering Route 40 to access a signalized intersection. The project duration is expected to be no longer than one (1) year from start to finish with construction expected to begin in the year 2010.

The construction of a public service road would further allow for the closure or consolidation in the future of several access points to properties that have direct access to Route 40 today. This improvement will greatly enhance safety by giving those properties access at a signalized intersection. Also included will be a DART Bus stop with designated parking along the service road.

As noted, the acquisition of some private property located at the intersection of Route 40 and Van Dyke Road will be required to accomplish these safety improvements. DelDOT's Real Estate Section has been and will continue to negotiate to acquire the necessary private property with the intention to exercise its power of eminent domain should good faith negotiations fail. In that case, eminent domain proceedings would be initiated no earlier than 6 months from the date of the workshop.

DelDOT has determined that it is appropriate to utilize the provisions of 17 Delaware Code Subsection 507 to facilitate the construction of road improvements which will support the proposed increase of traffic expected to frequent the area as a result of the shopping center and other future development.

As part of the plan review, a transportation operation analysis was completed which demonstrated that a realignment of Vandyke Road at Route 40 would be beneficial. For example, improvements at this intersection would minimize the high number of projected U-turns and the weaving associated with the projected U-turns benefitting the overall traffic operations along that stretch of Route 40. The closure or consolidation in the future of several access points to properties that have direct access to Route 40 today will greatly enhance safety by giving those properties access at a signalized intersection.

More detailed information, including but not limited to drawings, will be presented at the public workshop. The public workshop is intended to, among other things, also provide the opportunity to discuss to what extent the public will be affected by the project.