Various images of Main Street in Newark, DE on a warmish February weekend. - (Evan Krape / University of Delaware)

A major project to resurface Newark's Main Street is scheduled to start this fall.

Main Street road work ahead

Article by Eric Ruth Photo by Evan Krape May 08, 2018

Two-year project includes resurfacing and pedestrian amenities

A long-anticipated project to resurface Newark’s crumbling Main Street and add pedestrian-friendly improvements is expected to cause traffic complications beginning this winter and extending through summer 2020.

The $10 million project overseen by the city of Newark and the Delaware Department of Transportation will replace the perennially potholed asphalt all along East Main Street’s length and install brick sections to the sidewalk that will “bump-out” into existing parking spaces and add a more picturesque and pedestrian-oriented feel to Newark’s main thoroughfare.

Starting this October or November, work is expected to be active 24/7 through summer 2020, moving block by block from east to west, and will constrict traffic to one lane in sections under active reconstruction. Officials urged drivers to consider re-routing to Cleveland Avenue when possible. Some minor pedestrian detours are also likely, and some on-street parking will be unavailable in sections where work is underway.

Main Street is in such a condition that patching or a less-complex repaving is no longer possible, said Joe Hofstee, project manager with the firm of AECOM.

The overhaul also aims to make pedestrian crosswalks more visible to oncoming traffic and will add handicapped-accessible parking spaces. Sidewalks along Main Street will also get upgraded curb ramps for enhanced ease of use by those with disabilities, and a new stop-for-pedestrians crosswalk will be installed at Klondike Kate’s.

This diagram shows the locations of some of the proposed pedestrian bump-outs planned for Main Street. (Click to enlarge.)

The “traffic-calming” bump-outs will be paved with brick and embellished with plants, bike racks and possibly benches. “It gives more of a gateway approach to the city of Newark,” Hofstee said. “It helps to make people want to come down here.”

The bump-outs are not expected to come at the expense of street parking. By the time the project is completed, Main Street will retain all of its 120 on-street spaces.

The new or upgraded “bump-out” areas are proposed to be installed in front of the following businesses: Switch Skate/Dunkin Donuts, California Tortilla, Newark United Methodist Church, Walgreens, Caffé Gelato, Main Street Dental, Catherine Rooney’s, M&T Bank, Panera Bread, Klondike Kate’s, Iron Hill Brewery and Cheeburger Cheeburger.

Some bus stops will be relocated or closed during construction. In the area of the main crosswalk at The Green and Main Street, the bus stop currently next to Newark Deli and Bagels will be permanently moved closer to the intersection with College Avenue.

For more information, visit www.deldot.gov/information/projects.