Delaware 2 Business was commissioned around 1990 to replace the former mainline of Delaware 2 through the city of Newark. The routing of Delaware 2 through downtown Newark featured heavy traffic, several pedestrian crossings, and on street parking. Those elements led to safety concerns and inhibited the ability of the routing as a viable through route. In an effort to remove some of the through traffic along the route DelDOT relocated Delaware 2 south of the city by way over overlaps with Delaware 72, 4, and 4 & 896 between Elkton Road and Kirkwood Highway. The original alignment through town thus became Delaware 2 Business.
Elkton Road carries Delaware 2 Business & Delaware 896 eastward from Christina Parkway (Delaware 2 & 4) into downtown Newark. The east-west highway splits into the one-way couplet of Delaware Avenue (eastbound) and Main Street (westbound) through the central business district. Delaware 896 departs via South College Avenue and London Roads and Delaware 273 joins via West Main Street. From downtown eastward to Library Avenue (Delaware 2 & 72) Delaware 2 Business & 273 continue along Delaware Avenue and Main Street.
| Western terminus
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| Perspective from Delaware 2 east
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Eastbound Delaware 2 (Elkton Road) at the western terminus of Delaware 4 and merge with Delaware 896 (Christina Parkway). Delaware 2 turns eastward along Christina Parkway with Delaware 4 east & 896 southbound to bypass central Newark. Elkton Road continues eastward into downtown carrying Delaware 2 Business & 896. Note the error referencing Delaware 2 Business east as north and Delaware 896 north as east. Photo taken 03/28/04. |
| Perspective from Delaware 2-4 west & 896 north
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Descending toward the western terminus of Delaware 4 and Christina Parkway on Delaware 2 west & 896 north. Christina Parkway widens to four lanes before ending at Elkton Road ahead. Delaware 2 Business begins to the right and travels into downtown Newark with Delaware 896 north. Photo taken 04/30/04. |
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Delaware 2 westbound returns to its original alignment on Elkton Road for the one-mile drive into the state of Maryland. The state route becomes Maryland 279 at the border and intersects the Exit 109 interchange of Interstate 95 one mile south of there. An access road continues northward from Christina Parkway to Suburban Plaza Shopping Center. Photo taken 04/30/04. |
| Perspective from Delaware 2 Business east & 896 north
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Turning northeastward toward downtown Newark on Elkton Road eastbound. Delaware 2 Business & 896 share 1.7 miles of Elkton Road and the one-way couplet of West Main Street and Delaware Avenue. Photo taken 03/28/04. |
| Eastern terminus
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| Perspective from Delaware 2 Business & 273 east
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Junction shields for Delaware 2-72-273 (Library Avenue) on Delaware Avenue eastbound at Newark High School. Delaware 2 Business ends at the upcoming intersection where Delaware 273 east joins Delaware 2 east & 72 north along Library Avenue for one block. Note the left-curve warning signs predating the 1972 opening of Library Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Wyoming Road. Photo taken 03/28/04. |
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Delaware 273 eastbound turns northward onto Library Avenue. Delaware 2 & 72 overlap between Delaware 4 (Chestnut Hill Road) and Possum Park Road east of the city. Straight ahead is the entrance to College Square Shopping Center. Photo taken 05/15/05. |
| Perspective from Delaware 2 east & 72 north
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Delaware 2 east & 72 northbound travel Library Avenue over the AMTRAK Northeast corridor into the College Square area of east Newark. The two-lane highway expands to four overall lanes between Wyoming Road and the junction with West Main Street (Delaware 2 Business & 273). Delaware Avenue carries Delaware 2 Business & 273 eastbound to Delaware 2 & 72 at the upcoming intersection. Photo taken 08/31/04. |
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Library Avenue northbound at the eastern terminus of Delaware 2 Business (Delaware Avenue) and merge with Delaware 273 east. An entrance to the College Square Shopping Center ties into the intersection from the right. Delaware Avenue itself is eastbound only. Photo taken 03/27/04. |
| Perspective from Delaware 2 west & 72 south
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Delaware 2 west & 72 south (Kirkwood Highway) at the intersection with Cleveland Avenue and CSX Railroad overcrossing. The tandem intersects East Main Street ahead (Delaware 2 Business & 273 west) at the end of the Robert Kirkwood Highway. From there Delaware 2 & 72 travel Library Avenue southward across the AMTRAK northeastern corridor onto South Chapel Street to junction Delaware 4 (Chestnut Hill Road). Photo taken 04/24/04. |
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Departing Delaware 2 west & 72 south (Library Avenue) on the beginning of Delaware 2 Business at McKees Lane. McKees Lane provides a one-way short cut north to Cleveland Avenue and one of the few passages under the CSX Railroad. The shield assembly arrow should point diagonally upwards rather than to the right. Photo taken 05/21/07. |
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Delaware 2 Business eastbound merges with Delaware 273 on East Main Street. The two quickly approach the signalized intersection with Tyre Avenue. Photo taken 05/21/07. |
Rather than duplicate Delaware 2 Business photos here, please see the following guides for coverage:
Page Updated October 31, 2007.
