Karl Baker

The News Journal

Transportation officials say two vehicle lanes should be removed from the Washington Street Extension, a four-lane, tree-lined highway that winds past Rockwood Park and Mt. Pleasant High School north of Wilmington, to make walking and biking safer.

"About 9,000 vehicles use the street each day, far fewer than the road is designed to carry," Delaware Department of Transportation road engineers said in a report. "It is feasible to remove one lane in each direction in a road diet.”

The 1.6-mile road segment between Matson Run and Philadelphia Pike currently is a designated bike route and is lined with bus stops, but there are few crosswalks and no sidewalks or bike lanes.

Designs to replace vehicles lanes with sidewalks, bike lanes and on-street parking have been drawn up, and DelDOT will share the plans at a public meeting planned 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth synagogue, 4412 Washington Boulevard, Wilmington.

Those interested in the project can comment in writing at the meeting or by mail to DelDOT Community Relations, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903. Comments can also be sent to dotpr@state.de.us.

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After considering public comments, DelDOT engineers will prepare a concept design report. At the earliest, construction on the bikeway and sidewalks could begin in two years, according to DelDOT, but the timeline is dependent on an uncertain state transportation funding structure.

Pedestrian deaths peaked in Delaware in 2015 after being among the deadliest states for pedestrians for years. In late 2015, Gov. Jack Markell created the Delaware Advisory Council on Walkability and Pedestrian Awareness, a group of citizens and transportation officials that have met periodically to study ways to make roads safer for people who walk.

Contact Karl Baker at kbaker@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2329. Follow him on Twitter @kbaker6.