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Written on: June 14th, 2012 in Archaeology Updates, US301
The Elkins Archaeology site has begun excavations, and after the first week of work there are some amazing finds. The first week of excavation has produced a good range of 18th century artifacts similar in type and distribution to those recovered during the earlier Phase II work. One spectacular artifact was found. This is a copper alloy disk which was attached on the back to a chain and was part of a “sleeve-link” (like a cufflink). The front of the disk has profile portraits of King George the Second of Great Britain and his wife Queen Caroline. We know this from the Latin inscription around the edge. George II reigned from 1727 to 1760 (he was George III’s father). He and Caroline of Ansbachwere married in 1705 , and she died in 1737. So this object must date to between 1727 and 1737. What makes it “spectacular?” Well firstly, it seems to be a rather rare kind of object: our research to date has not found many other examples. Our working hypothesis is that this is a commemorative item produced for the 1727 Coronation. Secondly: it looks like a prestige object. So what is it doing out here in central Delaware? In fact, it fits in quite well with what we have been seeing at this and several of the earlier 18th century sites within the 301 corridor. The high quality of many of the artifacts from these sites shows that the people living here, far from being self-sufficient isolated pioneers on the frontier, were well connected to the colonial and international trade networks of 18th century America, and were profiting from them.
The shortage of rain that Delaware has been experiencing is making our digging task a bit harder right now: the soils below the plowzone get very hard and dry under these conditions, making it more difficult to dig and to see the subtle differences of color and texture that often show us where archaeological features like pits and cellar holes are located. During the next week we will concentrating on the removal of plowzone from Elkins Site A with the machine and shovels, and identifying and mapping features as they are exposed in the underlying soils.
Written on: June 14th, 2012 in Route 54
As of June 14, 2012, work on the south side related to sidewalks, entrances and handicap ramps is ongoing and is expected to be complete Friday, June 15. Work is being performed to install the signal detection loops and pedestrian signal poles at each of the signalized intersections. This work is expected to be complete by Friday, June 22. Upon completion the final electrical connections to the signal cabinet bases will be made to activate the new signals. Work is continuing on the landscaping around the storm water management ponds. Work is ongoing throughout the project limits to clean up debris, remove the silt fence and topsoil and seed adjacent to the curb and sidewalk.
Written on: June 11th, 2012 in Route 26
Please note there will be minimal to no impact to the public due to this work.
As DelDOT continues to plan ahead for the construction of SR 26 Improvement Project, it wishes to advise motorists and residents that some initial survey work and field review work related to utility relocation will be occurring this summer. There should be little to no traffic impacts for the activities noted below.
DelDOT and representatives from the utility companies will be conducting field reviews on SR 26 between St. Georges Church in Clarksville and the Assawoman Canal to identify future utility pole locations and the new state right-of-way. This will require surveyors to place wooden stakes along the new right-of-way to help identify the location of proposed utilities. This will be followed by field reviews conducted by the project team and the utility companies.
This utility coordination is essential to minimizing the impacts of utility relocation work during construction, as well as impacts to the surrounding communities and traveling public, as we prepare for construction on SR 26. DelDOT will be working closely with the utility companies to ensure that the location of the proposed utilities meets the needs of the project, all while trying to minimize any impacts to adjoining properties. Once the field review has been completed over the next few months, DelDOT will be removing the wooden stakes. Public cooperation during this process is greatly appreciated.
Written on: June 6th, 2012 in Route 54
As of June 7, 2012, all work on the north side related to sidewalks, entrances and handicap ramps is complete.
Work on the south side related to sidewalks, entrances and handicap ramps is presently being performed and is expected to be complete by next Friday.
All final pavement markings are complete.
Work is being performed to install the signal detection loops and pedestrian signal poles at each of the signalized intersections. This work is expected to be complete by Friday June 22. Upon completion the final electrical connections to the signal cabinet bases will be made to activate the new signals.
Work is continuing on the landscaping around the storm water management ponds.
Work is ongoing throughout the project limits to clean up debris, remove the silt fence and topsoil and seed adjacent to the curb and sidewalk.
Written on: June 5th, 2012 in Archaeology Updates, US301
Greetings and Salutations,
Let me begin by introducing myself
David S. Clarke
DelDOT Archaeologist
Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 778-800 Bay Road
Dover, DE 19903
Phone: (302) 760-2271
Fax: (302) 739-8282
david.clarke@delaware.gov
www.archaeology.deldot.gov
Ok now that we’ve gotten the formalities out of the way, I want to welcome the world to the US Route 301 Archaeology blog. This blog will excite the senses and intrigue the mind as we explore and learn about all the amazing Archaeological excavations that are on-going in advance of construction for the US Route 301 project. For more information about the US Route 301 project please visit this website,
https://deldot.gov/information/projects/us301/
For more information about the US Route 301 Archaeology program please view this brochure.
https://deldot.gov/environmental/archaeology/us301/pdf/301_final_brochure12-30-2008.pdf
Over the next year or so, I’ll be providing weekly updates on the progress of the Archaeology program. So let us begin our journey at the Elkins Archaeological Site! The Elkins Archaeological site dates to the late 17th through the 18thcentury. To learn more about the Elkins site please view this brochure.
https://deldot.gov/environmental/archaeology/Elkins/brochure/ElkinsOnePageHandout.pdf
The phase III excavation of this site begins June 4th so stay tuned for more amazing finds as we begin more work at this and other Archaeology sites on the US Route 301 project!
Written on: May 31st, 2012 in Route 54
5.31.12 – The contractor is working on pavement striping of symbols, arrows, etc. this week. If they work on Friday it will be under lane shifts and shoulder closures, so that two lanes of traffic can be maintained at all times.
There was a concern this past weekend about the traffic signals not functioning correctly. The detector loops have not been cut into the pavement yet, so the signals simply cycle at pre-set intervals instead of when tripped. We anticipate that the loops will be cut in the pavement the week of June 4, which should correct the issue. Again, if work is performed on Friday it will be under lane shifts and shoulder closures, so that two lanes of traffic can be maintained at all times.
Our Traffic Section will continue to monitor the signals and traffic volumes (just as they did over the holiday weekend) and make manual adjustments to the signal timing as necessary until the loop detection work is complete.
As we move into June, the contractor will be focusing on landscaping, topsoil, and cleaning up the site. There is about two weeks worth of remaining concrete work to be done. This is mostly residential driveways. Again, if they work on Friday it will be under lane shifts and shoulder closures, so that two lanes of traffic can be maintained at all times.
Written on: May 24th, 2012 in Route 54
Today crews are out on Route 54 installing pavement markings (symbols, arrows, stop bars, etc.). This is expected to take 2 days, which will occur today until around noon, and then will resume next week. Crews are also performing some concrete work on the north side of the project, under a shoulder closure.
Also today the contractor will be sweeping the site, cleaning up debris and removing some of the traffic barrels. Not all barrels will be removed as some will be needed over the next few weeks so the contractor can complete remaining concrete, topsoiling seeding and cleanup work from the shoulder.
It is anticipated that the striping crew and the clean-up crew will be done around noon on May 24, with the concrete crew expected to be completed by early afternoon on May 24. No work will occur on the site between May 25 and May 28. This will leave all lanes available for travel this holiday weekend.
The contractor will be back on Tuesday of next week, and will continue with concrete work (driveway entrances, sidewalks, etc.), and some drainage work near Teaberry Woods. They will also be working on punch list and cleanup of the site.
This work should not require lane closures and should be completed by end of June, weather permitting.
Written on: May 23rd, 2012 in Indian River Inlet Bridge, Route 54
No construction on Delaware’s beach routes this weekend
Landmark Indian River Inlet Bridge is now open on Route 1; Route 54 is completed
For the first time in several years, all major routes to Delaware’s beaches will be free of construction. According to officials from The Department of Transportation (DelDOT), motorists will have a much easier time accessing Delaware’s renowned resort beaches this summer season. There will be no lane closures, or major construction on any of the major beach routes in Sussex County this Memorial Day Weekend.
Major work on the vital east – west connection to Fenwick Island via Route 54 is complete, with all lanes open to traffic.
In addition, earlier this week, all four lanes on the new Indian River Inlet Bridge opened to traffic, ending a multi-year project that involved numerous lane closures, and shifting traffic patterns. The pedestrian walkway is scheduled to open by Friday.
Written on: May 23rd, 2012 in Route 54
DelDOT announces that all mainline lanes of Route 54 are open and it invites visitors to come to the area this holiday weekend. In April, DelDOT began working closely with Route 54 business owners and its contractor Mumford & Miller to reach the goal of substantially completing construction on Route 54. Mainline paving work on Route 54 between SR 20 and the Mallard Lakes development is complete and all lanes are currently open along this corridor to the resort area.
Minimal construction signage and materials will remain on site as the contractor will work to complete minor construction tasks after the holiday weekend.
Written on: May 18th, 2012 in Route 54
5/18/2012 – You may have noticed a delay on Route 54 near Bayville Shopping Center today. The contractor is doing some minor milling at the entrance to Bayville Shopping Center. This milling had to be done today, as we continue to make progress on meeting our deadline of Memorial Day. The contractor needed their milling machine for another project, and wanted to work on Route 54 to get done before they took the machine to the other job. We apologize for the inconvenience. While we are trying to minimize any future impact to motorists or businesses, there are things like this that come up at a moment’s notice that must be addressed.
We have been advised this was a short-duration job, and the work has been completed and the roadway is now open in both directions.
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