As points of clarification & to avoid confusion as we all move forward working twords solutions for the Traffic Safety deficiencies in Signage , Pavement Markings , Signals & Roadway Condition improvement after this horrific tragedy the loss of a 10 Year Old Beautiful Child James Raul Messick .

The Comunity had previously requested & received Traffic Safety Improvenents to Signage Markings Signals in the Marbrook School Zone If memory serves from 2009 - 2020 five Del Dot Traffic Studies & in 2018 Del-DOT School Zone MUTCD Compliance Review :: We have consolidated these Traffic Studies & Reviews here for reference & convenience .

The Del-DOT School Zone MUTCD Compliance Review

Unfortunately, the intersection of Centerville & Faulkland Road was beyond the scope of the August 2018 Del-DOT School Zone MUTCD (Del-Dot Manual on Uniform Control Devices ) Compliance Review .

The Faulkland Rd corridor & the intersection at Centerville and Faulkland Rd IS NOT Del-Dot MUTCD 2023 11th Edition Compliant .

- The Faulkland Rd corridor & the intersection at Centerville and Faulkland Rd Needs To Be Del-Dot MUTCD 2023 11th Edition SCHOOL ZONE Compliant

Del-Dot MUTCD 2023 11th Edition TRAFFIC CONTROL FOR SCHOOL AREAS CHAPTER 7A. GENERAL

- Factors such as the BLIND APPROACH West Bound Faulkland Rd towards the intersection at Centerville and Faulkland Rd are NOT indicated with Signage Markings or Signals in Any way much less to Del-Dot MUTCD 2023 SCHOOL ZONE Compliant state .

- None Of The Cross walks at the Centerville and Faulkland Rd are indicated by Signage or Signals as required by the Del-Dot MUTCD 2023 SCHOOL ZONE .

- Signage Lacking at or approaching the intersection of Cross walks at the Centerville and Faulkland Rd , this is not in a Del-Dot MUTCD 2023 SCHOOL ZONE Compliant state .

- The approaches to the Centerville and Faulkland Rd intersection is a School Zone , Children walk to & from Two School using the intersection there is a New Castle County Crossing Guard to assist these children crossing the Centerville and Faulkland Rd .

- The approaches to & intersection at Centerville and Faulkland Rd Is A School Zone & the Signage Markings Signals need to be improved to be Del-Dot MUTCD 2023 11th Edition SCHOOL ZONE Compliant .

- We are Quite Certain that the New Castle County Traffic Units accident reconstruction report of the crash will also reflect and report on the deficiencies at the approaches to & intersection at Centerville and Faulkland Rd that contributed to the tragic death of a Beautiful Child James Raul Messick .

- Having children walk in an unsafe and dangerous cross walk that is deficient in Signage Markings Signals Roadway Condition as well as in a Del-Dot MUTCD 2023 SCHOOL ZONE uncompliant state unconscionable situation that should immediately be rectified by Red Clay Consolidated School District Transportation .

- There is no side walk ADA compliant or otherwise at the north east corner of the intersection of Centerville and Faulkland Rd at Stony Crest this MOST CERTAINLY DOES NOT MEET THE Red Clay Consolidated School District Transportation criteria for a safe path for an Elementary school student to walk.

- The 180 Bus that currently stops at Woodland Subdivision should add bus stops at Stony Crest & Tybrook Subdivisions , there is capacity on the bus route for the additional children & any cost or additional time expended would be nominal this is the only Correct & Human Decision .

- The Red Clay Consolidated School District Transportation should have added these stops for Stony Crest & Tybrook on the 180 Bus ON TUESDAY THE 7 of May 2024 ADD THESE TWO STOPS IMMEDIATELY !

Your Prompt attention in these serious matters and obvious deficits in traffic safety is much appreciated and anxiously anticipated .

Do feel free too reach out 302-463-2239 for any questions or clarification .

Woodland Park Civic Association
President, Kevin Hunter
Secretary, Jenny Howard

Wooodland Heights Civic Assoc
President Pamela Russac

Faulkland Heights Civic Association
President Kenny Testa

Marbrook Elementary PTO
President Stacy Cavanaugh

Brookmeade Civic Association
Sam Manchester

Elsmere Fire Company, Station 16
Membership secretary / Life Member
Heather Wiktorowicz

Brookland Terrace Civic Club
President Charles C. Stirk Jr

Brookland Terrace Civic Club
200 Hillside Ave
Wilmington Delaware 19805

brooklandterrace@gmail.com

http://brooklandterracecivicclub.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/#!/BrooklandTer

President - Charles C. Stirk Jr
      302.463.2239 brooklandterrace@gmail.com

      Vice President-Treasurer - Larry Horrocks
302.545.7877 lgha1@aol.com

Secretary - Elsie De Prisco
302.377.3999 elsiez24@yahoo.com

---------------------------------------------

From: Williams, Kimberly (LegHall) <Kimberly.Williams@delaware.gov>
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2024 4:41 PM

Good afternoon everyone, thank you for your email and for your advocacy.

We have asked the State agencies and New Castle County Police to meet with us once they are able to share all information with us. We have requested that they re-evaluate what laws and regulations were in place and did the area around Marbrook Elementary School comply with federal and state laws, do we need improvements such as lights, signs, crossing guards, sidewalks, and safety measures for students, families, the community and Marbrook staff. We know DelDot did work at the request of Rep. Williams and Sen. Mantzavinos on Centerville Road several years ago.

We asked the State agencies to go over existing laws with us with respect to walkers and bus riders and what are the distance requirements for elementary, middle and high school students. Are there any improvements that need to be made locally or statewide and should DOE and DelDot work together to review our current system.

DelDot did inform us that their Traffic Studies team will be out this week to review existing signage, roadway characteristics and school operations to determine what improvements can be done to improve safety in this area. This will include a review of the school zone requirements and current compliance.

We are thinking about the community during this time, our prayers go out to the Messick family for their loss.

Sincerely,

Rep. Kim Williams, Rep. DeShanna Neal, and Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos

-------------------------

Good morning everyone, I just wanted to provide an update from DelDot, please see below.

From DelDot: Rep. Williams, here’s a summary of our team’s field work last week:

Staff met with NCC Crossing Guard Unit on Monday, May 13 to discuss the signal timings for the signalized pedestrian crossings at Centerville Road and Faulkland Road. According to the Guard, there is 1 regular student crossing the intersection, but occasionally one or two more. The Guard requested additional walk time be provided to cross Faulkland to allow him to get established, cross the student(s), and still leave enough time for him to return to the island. We will be increasing the walk time.

During the field meeting, it was noted that a YIELD sign was missing from the southbound right-turn movement. Staff have already processed a work order to have the sign replaced.

School zone signage and striping were checked at Marbrook Elementary School and confirmed to have all the necessary devices. In addition, the flashing school zone signs were confirmed to be operational which the Guard uses daily.

School zone signage and striping were checked at Gateway Charter School and confirmed to have missing devices. Staff are issuing work orders for signage and striping improvements.

Staff is still assessing the request for the expanded school zone per the current MUTCD and new MUTCD (effective Jan. 2026).

We will be having a meeting with the State agencies and NCC Police once the New Castle Police investigation is completed.

Thank you,
Representative Kim Williams
19th District