DelDOT has proposed multiple roadway plans for the area of Cooch's Bridge. None of these proposals consider any of DE Historic and Cultural Affairs or New Castle County's envisioned plans for the expanded Cooch's Bridge Historic Site (which includes property on both sides of Old Baltimore Pike and will incorporate the Cooch-Dayett Mill and the Pencader Heritage Museum), and the pathway connecting Iron Hill and Glasgow Parks. Both HCA and NCC have already dedicated and secured large sums of NCC, State and Federal money for these projects and the details of the plans are forthcoming.

It is the position of the Pencader Heritage Area Assoc. as well as the fellow consulting and concerned parties involved in this project, that DelDOT should cease all planning until HCA and NCC have had the time needed to submit their needs to DelDOT; this is only logical and will save effort, time, money and provide the optimal opportunity for this highly valued and very special site to be preserved.

DelDOT is hosting a second Public Workshop on at Glasgow High School, Monday, March 25, from 5:30-7:30 (we urge all to arrive in time to be seated at the 5:30 beginning of the presentation in the auditorium). This workshop will be more in the town hall style program followed by Q&A. This workshop is a continuation of the prior workshop held on Feb. 6th and will provide the public with a second opportunity to review the information presented at the workshop.

The Cooch's Bridge Historic Site is arguably the most significant and layered historical site in HCA's impressive list of supported sites. It is the site of the only Revolutionary War Battle and the only battlefield in Delaware. Cooch's Bridge is the most iconic and the only recognizable remnant left of this battlefield. EVERY reasonable effort to preserve this site is easily justifiable. Its preservation is the last opportunity to provide justice against decades of unchecked urban sprawl and development that has left only the Cooch's Bridge Historic Site remaining. We urge DelDOT to investigate and understand battlefields in other states that have faced similar issues with regard to roadways and those roadways have been diverted for the preservation of the Battlefields and for the opportunity for the public to honor, understand and appreciate those sites.

Again, none of the proposed plans DelDOT has put forth work to the benefit of HCA or NCC's important goals, in fact, they work against them. When responding to the DelDOT survey on this project or otherwise offering input, please know that you do NOT have to accept any of DelDOT's proposed plans as viable and we encourage you to communicate that to not only DelDOT but also to your State Representative, Member of Congress and your NCC Council Person - voicing our opinions to preserve this site to its optimal potential to DelDOT alone will not make it happen, we need the support of our politicians and contacting them as well as being present at this important meeting is the only way the greatest good will come of this project.

Click on the links below to view additional insights on this project from the other consulting parties.
On behalf of the PHAA board, our volunteers and myself, we thank you, most kindly for your efforts and consideration in all these matters and thank you for your continued support of our mission to "promote the history of Pencader Hundred through preservation and presentation".