4 Background Conditions CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Th e designation of a roadway as a State of Delaware Byway or National Scenic Byway should not impede the intended purpose of that roadway to safely and effi ciently move goods and people. Th erefore, as part of this Corridor Management Plan (CMP), it is important to evaluate the current/existing and future conditions of the roadway being designated as a Byway. Displaying, summarizing and analyzing existing data pertaining to roadway physical characteristics, traffi c volumes, accident locations and other signifi cant data will assist with, and provide awareness of, the various operational and physical characteristics that should be considered during designation and implementation of the Scenic Byway. Th is collection of data also familiarizes the reader of this CMP with the Nanticoke Heritage Byway roadway characteristics. Th ese characteristics should be considered in corridor planning eff orts and future decision-making. In addition, the data serves as a baseline for any future analysis on the impacts of Scenic Byway designation and implementation of projects. 4.1 Roadway Characteristics Th e Nanticoke Heritage Byway extends approximately 35 miles in Western Sussex County. Th is Corridor Management Plan (CMP) has divided the Nanticoke Heritage Byway into fi ve (5) segments, or sections to assist with the review and graphical representation of the corridor analysis. Figures 4-1 – 4-5 display maps of the corridor and each of the fi ve segments. • Segment 1 (8.0 miles) – From Trap Pond State Park to Town of Laurel to the west. • Segment 2 (12.3 miles) – From Town of Laurel to Phillips Landing State Park to the west, and to the north through Town of Bethel to the Woodland Ferry. • Segment 3 (3.0 miles) – From Chapel Branch Nature Area to City of Seaford to the east. • Segment 4 (7.2 miles) – From City of Seaford north to Hearns Pond and U.S. Route 13 (Sussex Highway). • Segment 5 (9.3 miles) – From City of Seaford east to East Seaford and south to Chipman’s Pond in Concord. CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 5555 CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-1: Project Study Area LEGEND Bridgeville Nanticoke Heritage Byway Segment 1 (8.0 Miles) Segment 2 (12.3 Miles) Segment 3 (3.0 Miles) Corridor Length Segment 4 (7.2 Miles) 39.8 Miles Segment 5 (9.3 Miles) Byway Limit Hea Source: Western Sussex Scenic and Historic Highway Nomination Application rns Route, July 2009, and Context Sensitive Solutions for Delaware Byways Pon R d R Western Sussex Byway, December 2009, DelDOT, 2012 o d s s S ta t io n R d Middleford Seaford Concord Blades Concord Rd d R d n a l d o o W W o od Woodland la nd -F er ry F R i d r e t T S o n w 010.75 .5 i ³ a e Miles r M P Bethel R hil d lip s Landing Rd lle Rd Po vi rt s Laurel La ur el Rd Byway Limit 56 NANTICOKE HERITAGE BYWAY CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-2: Project Study Area – Segment 1 LAUREL INSET ³ Byway Limit 010.5 Miles SEE LAUREL INSET Laurel Byway Limit Trap Pond State Park LEGEND Nanticoke Heritage Byway Segment 1 (8.0 Miles) Segment 2 (12.3 Miles) Corridor Segment 3 (3.0 Miles) Length Segment 4 (7.2 Miles) 39.8 Miles Segment 5 (9.3 Miles) Source: Western Sussex Scenic and Historic Highway Nomination Application Route, July 2009, and Context Sensitive Solutions for Delaware Byways Western Sussex Byway, December 2009, DelDOT, 2012 CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 57 CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-3: Project Study Area – Segment 2 LEGEND Nanticoke Heritage Byway Segment 1 (8.0 Miles) ³ Segment 2 (12.3 Miles) Corridor 000.325 .65 Length Miles Segment 3 (3.0 Miles) Segment 4 (7.2 Miles) 39.8 Miles Segment 5 (9.3 Miles) Woodland Source: Western Sussex Scenic and Historic Highway Nomination Application Route, July 2009, and Context Sensitive Solutions for Delaware Byways Western Sussex Byway, December 2009, DelDOT, 2012 BETHEL INSET SEE BETHEL INSET Byway Limit Bethel Laurel 58 NANTICOKE HERITAGE BYWAY CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-4: Project Study Area – Segment 3 Seaford Blades LEGEND Nanticoke Heritage Byway Segment 1 (8.0 Miles) Segment 2 (12.3 Miles) Corridor Segment 3 (3.0 Miles) Length Segment 4 (7.2 Miles) 39.8 Miles Segment 5 (9.3 Miles) ³ Source: Western Sussex Scenic and Historic Highway Nomination Application 000.125 .25 Route, July 2009, and Context Sensitive Solutions for Delaware Byways Miles Western Sussex Byway, December 2009, DelDOT, 2012 CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 59 CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-5: Project Study Area – Segment 4 Byway Limit ³ 000.175 .35 Miles LEGEND Nanticoke Heritage Byway Segment 1 (8.0 Miles) Segment 2 (12.3 Miles) Corridor Segment 3 (3.0 Miles) Length Segment 4 (7.2 Miles) 39.8 Miles Seaford Segment 5 (9.3 Miles) Source: Western Sussex Scenic and Historic Highway Nomination Application Route, July 2009, and Context Sensitive Solutions for Delaware Byways Western Sussex Byway, December 2009, DelDOT, 2012 60 NANTICOKE HERITAGE BYWAY CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-6: Project Study Area – Segment 5 Seaford SEE CONCORD ³ INSET 000.45 .9 Miles CONCORD INSET Concord Pond Rd ­ Byway Limit LEGEND Nanticoke Heritage Byway Segment 1 (8.0 Miles) Segment 2 (12.3 Miles) Corridor Segment 3 (3.0 Miles) Length Segment 4 (7.2 Miles) 39.8 Miles Segment 5 (9.3 Miles) Laurel Source: Western Sussex Scenic and Historic Highway Nomination Application Route, July 2009, and Context Sensitive Solutions for Delaware Byways Western Sussex Byway, December 2009, DelDOT, 2012 CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 61 CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS 4.1.1 General Design Characteristics Total It is important to know the general design character Roadway Number of a corridor in an eff ort to appropriately portray the Segment Route Width of Driving safety and transportation planning aspects. Figure (Lanes and Lanes Shoulders) 4-7 presents the design characteristics of the corridor. Main the entire byway corridor is generally two lanes, one Avenue; in each direction. Medians are generally not present. Segment 2 Main Street; 22-38 feet 2 Most of the corridor is rural in nature with occasional Bethel Road suburban and urban sections through communities such as Laurel and Seaford. Roadway width ranges Woodland Segment 2 28 feet 2 from 22 feet to 50 feet as displayed in the following Ferry Road fi gures. Segment 2 Woodland 30-40 feet 2 & 3 Road Figure 4-7: General Roadway Design Harrington Characteristics Segment 3 32-36 feet 2 Street Pennsylvania Total Segment 3 32-40 feet 2 Roadway Number Avenue Segment Route Width of Driving Segment 3 High Street 32-42 feet 2 (Lanes and Lanes Market Segment 4 32-34 feet 2 Shoulders) Street Trap Pond Segment 1 24 feet 2 Nanticoke Road Segment 4 36-42 feet 2 Avenue Delaware Ross Station Route 24 Segment 4 36 feet 2 Segment 1 38 feet 2 Road (Laurel Road) Segment 4 Atlanta Road 37 feet 2 Christ Wesley Segment 1 Church 29 feet 2 Segment 4 Church 31 feet 2 Road Road Chipmans Hearns Pond Segment 1 28-32 feet 2 Segment 4 28 feet 2 Pond Road Road Delaware Bridgeville Segment 1 27-36 feet 2 Segment 4 42 feet 2 Avenue Highway Delaware U.S. Route Route 24 Segment 5 13 (Front 30-42 feet 2 Segment 1 24-28 feet 2 (Market Street) Street) Delaware Sixth Street; Segment 5 Route 20 34-37 feet 2 Segment 1 Townsend 24-34 feet 2 (High Street) Street Delaware Portsville Route 20 Segment 2 32 feet 2 Segment 5 35-50 feet 2 Road (Concord Phillips Road) Segment 2 Landing 26 feet 2 Concord Segment 5 30 feet 2 Road Pond Road Shell Bridge Fire Tower Segment 2 30-34 feet 2 Segment 5 30 feet 2 Road Road 62 NANTICOKE HERITAGE BYWAY CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-8: Roadway Width (Project Study Area) LEGEND Bridgeville Roadway Width Under 20 Feet 21 - 30 Feet 31 - 40 Feet 41 - 50 Feet Source: DelDOT, 2013 Byway Limit Hea rns Pon R d R o d s s S ta t io n R d Middleford Seaford Concord Blades Concord Rd d R d n a l d o o W W o od Woodland la nd -F er ry F R i d r e t T S o n w 010.75 .5 i ³ a e Miles r M P Bethel R hil d lip s Landing Rd lle Rd Po vi rt s Laurel La ur el Rd Byway Limit CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 63 CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-9: Roadway Width – Segment 1 LAUREL INSET ³ Byway Limit 010.5 Miles SEE LAUREL INSET Laurel Byway Limit Trap Pond State Park LEGEND Roadway Width Under 20 Feet 21 - 30 Feet 31 - 40 Feet 41 - 50 Feet Source: DelDOT, 2013 64 NANTICOKE HERITAGE BYWAY CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-10: Roadway Width – Segment 2 LEGEND Roadway Width Under 20 Feet ³ 21 - 30 Feet 000.325 .65 Miles 31 - 40 Feet 41 - 50 Feet Source: DelDOT, 2013 BETHEL INSET SEE BETHEL INSET Bethel Byway Limit Laurel CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 65 CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-11: Roadway Width – Segment 3 Seaford Blades LEGEND Roadway Width Under 20 Feet 21 - 30 Feet 31 - 40 Feet ³ 41 - 50 Feet 000.125 .25 Source: DelDOT,2013 Miles 66 NANTICOKE HERITAGE BYWAY CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-12: Roadway Width – Segment 4 Byway Limit ³ 000.175 .35 Miles LEGEND Roadway Width Under 20 Feet 21 - 30 Feet 31 - 40 Feet Seaford 41 - 50 Feet Source: DelDOT, 2013 CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 67 CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS Figure 4-13: Roadway Width – Segment 5 Seaford SEE CONCORD INSET ³ 000.45 .9 Miles CONCORD INSET Concord Pond Rd ­ Byway Limit LEGEND Roadway Width Under 20 Feet 21 - 30 Feet 31 - 40 Feet 41 - 50 Feet Laurel Source: DelDOT, 2013 68 NANTICOKE HERITAGE BYWAY CHAPTER 4 - BACKGROUND CONDITIONS 4.1.2 Speed Limits 4.1.4 Designated Truck Routes Th e speed limits along the corridor are depicted in Delaware DOT does not have a list of designated Figure 4-14, on the following page.