US Route 13 Business and Alternate Routes in Delaware
The network of US Route 13 in Delaware includes several business loops and alternate routes designed to manage traffic flow through urban centers and provide access to local commerce. From the southern reaches of Sussex County to the industrial hubs of New Castle County, these routes reflect the evolution of Delaware's transportation infrastructure, shifting from original state highways to modern bypasses.
Key Facts
- US 13 Business (Bridgeville): A 2.46-mile route established in 1970 to serve the town of Bridgeville.
- US 13 Alternate (Camden): A 5.69-mile route serving Woodside and Camden, partially designated as a historic byway.
- US 13 Alternate (Dover): A 3.86-mile route passing through downtown Dover and crossing Silver Lake.
- US 13 Business (Wilmington): An 8.19-mile route running through the heart of Wilmington via Philadelphia Pike.
- Historic Byways: Several segments of these routes are part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway.
Bridgeville Business Loop
US Route 13 Business (US 13 Bus.) in Bridgeville is a 2.46-mile stretch in Sussex County. The route begins south of town at an intersection with US 13 and DE 404, initially running west as a four-lane divided road known as South Main Street. As it moves north-northwest, it narrows to a two-lane undivided road passing through farmland and residential areas.
In the center of Bridgeville, the route splits from DE 404 Bus., becoming North Main Street. It continues through a mix of farmland and development, crossing Redden Road before terminating at US 13/DE 404. Notably, the northern terminus only allows access to and from the southbound lanes of US 13.
Evolution and Safety Improvements
The road was originally constructed as a state highway between 1920 and 1924 and was designated as US 13 in 1926. After US 13 was rerouted to bypass the town in 1952, the path became US 13 Alt. in 1957, and finally US 13 Bus. in 1970. To address a high accident rate, a $15-million project was completed in 2009 to transform the southern terminus from a skewed intersection into a perpendicular one, adding service roads for improved safety.
Kent County Alternate Routes
Camden Alternate Route
US 13 Alternate (US 13 Alt.) in Kent County spans 5.69 miles between Canterbury and Camden. Starting at US 13 and DE 15, it runs northwest through Woodside, where it intersects DE 10 Alt. The route crosses Tidbury Creek and passes through agricultural and residential zones before entering Camden as Main Street.
The route concludes at US 13 in northern Camden. A portion of this road, specifically between Voshells Mill Road and Old North Road, is part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, a designated Delaware Byway. This alignment follows the original 1926 US 13 path before the main highway was shifted east in 1952.
Dover Alternate Route
The Dover segment of US 13 Alt. is a 3.86-mile route serving the city's downtown core. It begins in Rodney Village and travels north along South Governors Avenue, a three-lane road with a center turn lane. The route passes Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, and enters downtown Dover, intersecting West Loockerman Street and DE 8.
After passing the Delaware State University Downtown campus, the route follows Governors Boulevard and North State Street, crossing Silver Lake. It terminates at US 13 and Leipsic Road near the Dover Motor Speedway. The section from Walker Road to the northern terminus is also part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway.
Wilmington Business and Alternate Routes
Wilmington Business Loop
US 13 Bus. in Wilmington is an 8.19-mile route that carries traffic through the city center while the main US 13 bypasses the downtown area to the east. The route utilizes a one-way pair in the downtown district and continues through Brandywine Hundred via the historic Philadelphia Pike, which dates back to the 1820s. It terminates at US 13 in Claymont.
The Former Wilmington Alternate Route
From 1939 to 1970, US 13 Alt. served as the eastern bypass of Wilmington. This 8.70-mile route utilized Heald Street, 4th Street, and a one-way pair of Church and Spruce Streets. It featured the Northeast Boulevard, a divided highway that encouraged residential and industrial growth in the Edgemoor area.
The bypass was originally conceived in 1918 to avoid the steep grades of Philadelphia Pike, which were challenging for early trucks. In 1970, the designations were swapped: the US 13 Alt. alignment became the main US 13, and the original path through downtown became US 13 Bus.
Route Summary Table
| Route Name | Location | Length | Status | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 13 Bus. (Bridgeville) | Sussex County | 2.46 mi | Active | Perpendicular southern terminus |
| US 13 Alt. (Camden) | Kent County | 5.69 mi | Active | Harriet Tubman Byway segment |
| US 13 Alt. (Dover) | Kent County | 3.86 mi | Active | Crosses Silver Lake |
| US 13 Bus. (Wilmington) | New Castle County | 8.19 mi | Active | Follows Philadelphia Pike |
| US 13 Alt. (Wilmington) | New Castle County | 8.70 mi | Decommissioned | Former eastern bypass |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Business and an Alternate route?
Generally, a Business route (US 13 Bus.) is designed to lead traffic through the commercial center of a town, while an Alternate route (US 13 Alt.) provides an optional path between two points on the main highway, often serving as a former alignment or a bypass.
Which routes are part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway?
Segments of the US 13 Alt. in Camden, the US 13 Alt. in Dover, and the US 13 Bus. in Wilmington (between A Street and DE 9) are all part of this historic Delaware Byway.
Why was the Bridgeville southern terminus redesigned in 2007?
The intersection was originally skewed, leading to a high accident rate. A $15-million project realigned it to be perpendicular and added service roads to improve safety.
How did the Wilmington routes change in 1970?
In 1970, US 13 was rerouted to follow the US 13 Alt. alignment (the eastern bypass), and the original path through downtown Wilmington was redesignated as US 13 Business.
What is the traffic volume on the Bridgeville Business loop?
Annual average daily traffic ranges from a high of 6,171 vehicles at the north end of the DE 404 Bus. concurrency to a low of 3,429 vehicles at the northern border of the town.