Route 54 Traffic Draws Ire from Residents

Delaware residents in one community are getting riled up because of a couple of new developments along the Route 54 corridor. 

The area sees lots of beach traffic in the summer months and some say it's not uncommon to sit on Route 54 for an hour or more in traffic jams. 

Now some people in the community want state and county lawmakers to do something before things get unbearable.

People along a stretch of Route 54  between Fenwick Road and Route 20 in Delaware say they are frustrated with a new development already under construction. 

The area is known for being gridlocked and they think the new project will make things worse. 

"People who live directly there at Keenwick area already find it almost impossible to get in or out of their community, that's why they were asking for that particular traffic light across from the Royal Farms."

Residents like Jeanette Ahkter say installing this new housing development and Royal Farms is not only a nuisance but its a safety issue.

 "The route 54 corridor that goes from Selbyville over to Fenwick Island and is by the way the designated evacuation road from South Bethany West Ocean city  and all the thousands of people who live along that road in case of emergency." 

Some are asking for a traffic light to be installed at the intersection of Route 54 and  West Bluewater Run. 

But in an email from DelDot officials say after doing a traffic flow study, there's no need for that addition. 

However, state lawmakers like Senator Gerald Hocker, don't agree. 

 "Route 54 is very congested during the summer months especially Friday afternoons and Saturdays, changeover time. Our residents have a very hard time getting in and out of their roads and they want some relief on 54." 

But residents like Ahkter say if leaders don't do something soon, there's going to be trouble because the congested roadway is a designated disaster route.

"It's not a matter of if its a matter of when that's going to happen." 

Senator Hocker and fellow lawmaker,  Representative Ron Gray are planning to hold another town hall on this issue soon. 

DelDot officials told us in an email today that about 150 cars use this area on a daily basis.