The Delaware Department of Transportation has announced planned lane closures on southbound Route 1 through the Lewes area next month as work continues on the Minos Conaway Road overpass scheme.
Two-week phase to affect motorists and local access
The closures are scheduled to run from Monday 14 September through Friday 25 September, weather permitting, on the stretch of Route 1 between Best Lane and Janice Road. The affected section includes the carriageway adjacent to Red Mill Pond, the Minos Conaway Road junction and the Nassau Bridge.
Work crews will carry out milling, wedging and paving, in addition to installing guardrail and relocating a barrier wall as part of the ongoing overhaul of the Minos Conaway/Route 1 intersection and nearby roads. The project has already required earlier changes to local foot and cycle routes, including a detour of the trail near Janice Road to permit construction of a new road underneath the Nassau Bridge.
"DelDOT advises drivers to use caution through the work zone and expect minor delays."
What residents and road users should expect
- Lane restrictions on southbound Route 1 between Best Lane and Janice Road from 14–25 September (subject to weather).
- Work will include resurfacing operations (milling and paving), guardrail installation and barrier wall relocation.
- Minor delays are likely; drivers are asked to take care through the work zone and allow extra time for journeys.
The project is part of a wider effort to revamp the Minos Conaway Road junction with Route 1 and the surrounding carriageways. Local roadworks of this scale can bring short-term disruption, but are intended to improve traffic flow and safety once complete. Alongside carriageway works, earlier phases have required diversion of a nearby trail to facilitate the construction of a new underpass road beneath the Nassau Bridge.
Practical information and local impact
Motorists who regularly use Route 1 to travel between the Lewes area and neighbouring communities should plan for slower journeys during the two-week window. Commuters, delivery services and buses that use southbound Route 1 are likely to be affected by the lane closures and should consider alternative routing where possible or allow additional travel time.
Local businesses near the affected stretch — including those around Minos Conaway Road and Red Mill Pond — may see small changes in customer access while works are underway. The authority website and the project's dedicated page carry the most up-to-date information on lane configurations and any changes to the work programme.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Route 1 southbound, between Best Lane and Janice Road |
| Dates | 14 September–25 September (weather permitting) |
| Works | Milling, wedging, paving, guardrail installation, barrier wall relocation |
For residents who require more detail on traffic management, timings and any short-notice changes to the schedule, the Delaware Department of Transportation has further information available online. The agency’s Minos Conaway Road project page hosts maps and project updates, which will be important for anyone planning to travel through the area during the works.
While the straightforward advice from the road authority is to expect only minor delays, local drivers know that even brief lane reductions on Route 1 can ripple through the network, affecting side roads and peak-time traffic. Careful driving through the temporary works and a little extra time allowance will help reduce stress on the local road network while contractors complete this phase of the scheme.
The Minos Conaway works are part of a multi-stage programme; further phases and their timetables will be published by DelDOT as the project progresses.
