Public Workshop: Old Baltimore Pike Multi-intersection Reconstruction

Public Workshop

SR 72 AND OLD BALTIMORE PIKE & OLD BALTIMORE PIKE AND SALEM CHURCH RD

The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is holding a Public Workshop to obtain comments from surrounding businesses and the general public for two projects along Old Baltimore Pike. The workshop will be held on Monday, November 4, 2013, at Glasgow High School, 1901 South College Avenue in Newark. The public is invited to attend any time between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The project limits for the intersection improvement project at Old Baltimore Pike and Salem Church Road run approximately 700 feet north and south of Old Baltimore Pike on both legs of Salem Church Road, as well as along Old Baltimore Pike east and west between both intersections with Salem Church Road. The project involves intersection improvements including the expansion of single left-turn lanes to double left-turn lanes from Old Baltimore Pike onto both legs of Salem Church Road. Visit the project webpage for full details.

Poster's note: DOTs commonly refer to these projects as "improvements", but unless we speak up, it can be quite the opposite for bicyclists. Generally, the focus is on adding car lanes and increasing capacity for motorized traffic. Usually, bicycle and pedestrian improvements are mentioned in DelDOT workshops.

Currently, Old Baltimore Pike has wide shoulders that are marked with deteriorating bike lane symbols. At the intersections, there are no taper lines at the onset of the right turn-only lanes. The shoulder/bike lane enters into a share at this point for most of its length, as seen below:

Given there is no mention of bicycle facility improvements, it's important we attend and make our case heard. For one, adding additional left turn lanes could result in the elimination of the bike lane/shoulder in both directions at Salem Church Road.