MILTON, DE -- DelDOT officials began a new traffic pattern Tuesday, April 22nd to shift southbound Route 1 traffic onto a new overpass above Route 16.
The bridge is part of a roughly $23 million dollar project that's been in the works since 2022. Officials said the project looks to ease congestion and improve traffic safety at the Route 1 and Route 16 intersection near Milton.
Some nearby neighbors told WBOC Tuesday that traffic and traffic patterns around the project have come with challenges. Elsie Pennington, who lives in an adjacent neighborhood to the construction, said she got into an accident at the intersection last year.
"I was waiting at the light at 16, across from 1," Pennington said. "I had the green light, I started to go, and a man plowed into the front of the car where the headlights are. But it could have been a lot worse."
Pennington said she hopes some traffic will clear up once construction concludes. However, she said she'll have to wait and see if the project improves congestion in the area.
"Is it really going to be worth all the time and money? Is it going to improve traffic?" Pennington said. "Whatever reason they put it in there for, is it going to actually happen?"
Pennington also said she worries about how the new traffic patterns will affect nearby roads.
"If I want to get across Hudson and go back North, is there going to be a traffic stop so we can get across safely?" Pennington said. "Or is it going to be worse than it is now, especially in the summertime?"
Eduardo Dubin, who also lives in an adjacent neighborhood, said he hopes the project will make the intersection safer.
"I think it's fairly needed with the danger and the accidents that frequently occur over there," Dubin said. "I'm glad the state is doing something to correct it."
Dubin said he's optimistic the project will improve congestion in the area.
"This will make transit into Rehoboth Beach and the other beach resorts much more convenient. I'm very glad they've done it," Dubin said.
In terms of communication, Dubin said he felt DelDOT officials made him feel included as a nearby homeowner.
"They had meetings with us. Explained what their goals were and what they were going to do. I was very impressed," Dubin said.
Officials with DelDOT said traffic should be fully switched over to the new southbound bridge by the morning of Wednesday, April 22nd.
DelDOT Officials also told WBOC that the bridge opening marks the start of the fourth phase of construction. That work is expected to last through the end of the year, according to those officials.