DelDOT’s decision to re-direct the traffic of big semi-tractor trailers from Rte. 41 onto Rte. 48/Lancaster Pike has some western Wilmington and Hockessin residents upset, and calling for answers. A community meeting to discuss these traffic issues will be held on Tuesday, October 4 at 7pm in the auditorium of Wilmington Christian School on Loveville Road.
DelDOT and elected officials have been invited to attend to explain the decision and answer questions about the impact on the critical, and already strained thoroughfare.
Only weeks ago, with no advance communication to the community, signs unexpectedly popped up alerting drivers to the change. The surprise decision has led to a petition drive by affected neighborhoods to reverse the DelDOT move.
State Senator Greg Lavelle, who represents much of the area affected by the rerouting, said he was surprised to learn of the changes when they were implemented but pleased DelDOT is going to be listening to area concerns.
“Certainly, the process that led to the current situation was flawed and one sided,” said Lavelle. “I was not aware that it was even under consideration until the signing changes were made during the summer. I’m glad that DelDOT is willing to meet with impacted residents on Route 48 to determine what happened and why, and to see what changes are possible going forward. This should not be an effort to pit the residents of one area against the other, and I understand that some residents of Route 48 feel that is exactly what happened.”