Georgetown, Del., Oct. 8, 2010: Sussex County is hard at work this fall on several projects that will bring public sewer to thousands of homeowners. But that progress is coming with a cost, especially for some area motorists.

Installing pipes, pump stations and other necessary components of a new sewer system often means construction crews have to cut into road surfaces. Such work can leave roads dusty and bumpy, and cause temporary lane closures and delays.

Sussex County officials want to assure the traveling public that every effort is made by its contractors and inspectors to minimize those inconveniences and pave the way for a smoother ride.

“We’re sensitive to the fact that this work can be an inconvenience for people living in or driving through these areas,” County Administrator David B. Baker said. “But it’s a small price to pay for the long-term benefits of public sewer for our residents and for our environment.”

Providing centralized wastewater service has been a major focus of the County government for more than 30 years, as tens of thousands of failing septic systems have been replaced with public sewer since the 1970s. Currently, three projects are underway to expand sewer service to approximately 3,000 homes and businesses in the Angola, Johnson’s Corner and Oak Orchard areas, all in eastern Sussex County.

Roads that have been or will be affected by the work include Angola Road, Angola Beach Road, Camp Arrowhead Road, and Indian Mission Road for the Angola project; Bearhole Road and Deer Run for the Johnson’s Corner project; and Oak Orchard Road and River Road for the Oak Orchard project. Additionally, some streets in the Angola by the Bay, Bay Ridge Woods, and The Cove on Herring Creek subdivisions also could be affected.

A current list of road closures and restrictions in Sussex County, including those affected by sewer construction, can be found online at www.deldot.gov/information/travel_advisory/.

County officials remind motorists to allow extra time for travel in the affected areas, and to move slowly through construction zones, especially when crews are at work.

“We’re asking the public to be patient and bear with us,” Mr. Baker said. “We’re working as quickly as we can to serve everyone’s best interests.”

Members of the public with questions or concerns about sewer construction in the affected areas can call the County Engineering field offices at Angola at (302) 947-2841, Johnson’s Corner at (302) 436-2447 or Oak Orchard at (302) 945-1242.

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