Unauthorized lane closure causes Route 1 backups

Morning commuters traveling southbound on Route 1 between Milton and Five Points experienced considerable gridlock Nov. 19, as the right lane just south of Cave Neck Road was closed. 

Charles “C.R.” McLeod, Delaware Department of Transportation’s director of community relations, said the lane closure was not authorized by his department. Work is underway to construct a vehicular entrance to the new American Storage facility next to the Red Mill Inn. McLeod said the contractor for the project was not supposed to begin work until after 9 a.m. As a result of starting earlier, traffic was backed up more than a mile on Route 1 and other congestion occurred on alternate routes in the area. 

“We have addressed the issue and there should not be any ongoing delays after work is completed today,” McLeod said.