Virtual workshop on Kings Highway scheduled
The Delaware Department of Transportation has scheduled a virtual public workshop from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 23, on proposed widening and intersection improvements along Kings Highway in Lewes to improve traffic operation and add additional capacity to accommodate future growth.
A Zoom meeting link will be available on the project website in advance of the workshop at https://bit.ly/3rogRAp.
Intersection improvements are proposed at the Kings Highway intersections with Dartmouth Drive, Clay Road, Gills Neck Road and Freeman Highway, as well as adding a new intersection between Gills Neck Road and Freeman Highway. The limits of the project are from Route 1 to Freeman Highway. Construction is planned for 2026 through 2028.
The purpose of the workshop is to present the concept design and provide a design schedule.
Display plans and project information will be provided for public review and comment. Attendees will also have the option to download materials from the project website.
A presentation will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a live question-and-answer session with project team members. A recording of the workshop will be available on the website following the workshop.
Online comment forms will also be provided. Comments can also be mailed to DelDOT Community Relations, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903 or sent via email to dotpr@delaware.gov. The deadline for comments is Friday, March 25.
Projects planned along roadway
Multifamily housing and a commercial area are planned for a parcel along Kings Highway. At its Feb. 1 meeting, Sussex County Council introduced three land-use ordinances for the projects.
Henlopen Properties LLC has filed to rezone a 44-acre parcel on the southeast side of Kings Highway, 390 feet from the Gills Neck Road intersection, from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to MR, medium-density residential, and also for a conditional use to construct 267 multifamily units on the same parcel. MR zoning, which allows up to 12 units per acre density, is required for multifamily housing. The developer has also filed to rezone a 3-acre parcel along Gills Neck Road near the Kings Highway intersection from AR-1 to C-2 medium commercial district. All three applications will be placed on future county council and planning and zoning agendas.
The area called Zwaanendael Farm (also known as Mitchell Farm) would comprise 267 residential units – 114 duplexes and 153 townhouses – and 43,200 square feet of commercial space.
Kings Highway and Gills Neck Road are part of the Historic Lewes Byway.
