Delaware 71 composes a north-south route between U.S. 13 near Townsend and U.S. 13 at Tybouts Corner. The state highway traveled the same routing between 1938 and 1958. In 1959 Delaware 71 was truncated from Townsend northward to Summit Bridge for an extension of Delaware 896. However the state route later returned to overlap with U.S. 301 southward from Summit Bridge to the Maryland line. In 1983 a final relocation of the highway occurred returning Delaware 71 to its original Summit Bridge to Townsend alignment. Delaware 896 was removed from Summit Bridge Road south of Mt. Pleasant and redirected eastward via Boyds Corner Road to U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) at Boyds Corner itself. Delaware 71 and 896 remain the same today.

By 1957 the future U.S. 301 alignment along the Eastern Shore from U.S. 50 northward to Delaware came into existence as Maryland 71. It is unclear if the Maryland numbering convention related to a proposed freeway between State Road, Delaware and the Maryland state line southwest of Middletown by way of Delaware 71 or if it was a mere coincidence. That freeway was never built and by 1959 Maryland 71 became part of an extended U.S. 301.

At present Delaware 71 begins southeast of Townsend at U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway). Following Summit Bridge Road, Delaware 71 intersects Pine Tree Road 1.6 miles north of U.S. 13 just east of Townsend (pop. 346). Area residents voiced their opinions to DelDOT about lack of access to the nearby SR 1 Turnpike from either U.S. 13 or Delaware 71. A planned interchange for Summit Bridge Road was scrapped early on during the construction of the turnpike system due to economic reasons. Now that the ten-mile stretch between Odessa and Smyrna is complete, DelDOT has reconsidered the interchange and approved it. By 2006 Delaware 71 may extend southward of U.S. 13 to the new exit of Delaware 1.

Otherwise Delaware 71 continues to travel Summit Bridge Road northward from Townsend to the growing town of Middletown (pop. 6,161). Within the town limits Delaware 71 becomes Broad Street and bisects downtown at junction Delaware 299 (Main Street). Until 1993 or so Delaware 71 shared pavement with U.S. 301 one mile north from Delaware 299 to the Norfolk-Southern Railroad crossing at Summit Bridge Road. A new alignment opened that year for U.S. 301 (Middletown Warwick Road) west of downtown between Delaware 71 and Delaware 299. North of there U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 overlap 3.3 miles to Mount Pleasant and junction Delaware 896 (Boyds Corner Road).

Delaware 896 joins U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 at the Churchtown/Boyds Corner Road intersection at Mount Pleasant. Churchtown Road continues west from there to Maryland 310 and St. Augustine, Maryland. The trio meanwhile expand to four overall lanes on the 4.2-mile journey between Mount Pleasant and the north end of Summit Bridge. The northernmost two miles between Delaware 15 (Bethel Church Road) and the Delaware 71 split (Red Lion Road) encompasses the approaches and 1960-opened Summit Bridge cantilever span. That stretch is limited access.

Delaware 71 parts ways with U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 (Summit Bridge Road) at Lums Pond State Park. Red Lion Road curves around the periphery of the park to reach the Summit Bridge from the original Summit Bridge Road to the southeast. The two-lane highway retains concrete on the 1.5 mile drive. From there Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) beelines to junction Delaware 72 (Wrangle Hill Road), the community of Red Lion (junction Delaware 7), and Tybouts Corner (junction U.S. 13). Red Lion Road was once a part of the U.S. 301 alignment between Summit Bridge and Tybouts Corner. By 1984 the split configuration of U.S. 301 was removed in favor of a new routing along U.S. 13 and Boyds Corner Road.

Delaware 71 Mileage Table

Delaware 71 2002 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)

• 6,594 - U.S. 13 to Road 25
• 17,539 - Park Place to Delaware 299/Main Street (Middletown)
• 34,194 - Summit Bridge (U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 overlap)
• 4,340 - U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 to Road 356
• 4,789 - Delaware 7 to U.S. 13/Dupont Highway

Delaware 71 Terminus Collection

Southern Terminus
	Delaware 71 southbound defaults onto U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) southbound near Blackbird Creek at Point Breeze. A left-hand turn takes traffic onto a short access road for Dupont Highway northbound to Pine Tree Corners. At the time of this photograph no end sign was posted and Delaware 1 remained overlapped with U.S. 13. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig 02/18/02.
	Delaware 71 returns to U.S. 13 in rural southern New Castle County by way of Summit Bridge Road. The state route provides the main route between U.S. 13 and the city of Middletown five miles to the north. The southern terminus of Summit Bridge Road features a traffic light two miles to the southeast of Townsend. A future interchange is planned on the SR 1 Turnpike for Townsend by way of Summit Bridge Road in 2006. The southern leg of Delaware 71 between Middletown and U.S. 13 was once a part of Delaware 896. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig 02/18/02.
Northern Terminus
	End Delaware 71 shield with multiple U.S. 13 shields. Red Lion Road ends at Dupont Highway within the Exit 156 trumpet interchange of the SR 1 Turnpike. U.S. 13 merges with Delaware 1 to the south and intersects Bear Tybouts Corner Road to the north. Additionally an off-ramp from Delaware 1 south to Delaware 71 was completed during 1999-2000 for the growing development along the corridor near Red Lion. Photo taken 12/15/99.
	U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) southbound at the Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) southbound beginning and merge with the SR 1 Turnpike. Red Lion Road carries Delaware 71 1.2 miles south to junction Delaware (Bear-Corbitt Road) at Red Lion itself. A traffic light was installed at this intersection on October 25, 2007. Photo taken 04/17/04.

Delaware 71 Guide

U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 north
	A sign bridge resides on U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 just north of their merge with Delaware 896 (Boyds Corner Road) at the village of Mt. Pleasant. Posted here is a mileage sign for Glasgow (U.S. 40), Interstate 95, and the city of Newark. Photo taken by Kevin J. Sylvester (03/00).
	U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 curve northwestward from Old Summit Bridge Road to Bethel Church Road (Delaware 15) and the Summit Bridge itself. A set of reassurance shields is posted between Old Summit Bridge Road and Delaware 15. Photo taken 03/23/04.
	Approaching the northern terminus of Delaware 15 (Bethel Church Road) on U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 northbound. There are no signs posted in the northbound direction for Delaware 15. To the right Bethel Church Road continues into the village of Summit Bridge itself to Old Summit Bridge Road and Lorewood Grove Road. Photo taken 03/23/04.
	U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 turn northerly between Delaware 15 and the Summit Bridge. The four lane divided highway begins a gradual ascent onto the Summit Bridge over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. There are no intersections for the next two miles. Photo taken 03/23/04

The Summit Bridge carries U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal between Delaware 15 (Bethel Church Road) and Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road). The cantilever bridge was built in 1960 as part of a 1954 Canal authorization plan. The bridge is owned and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Four lanes of travel cross the span and bicycles are permitted. An overpass separates Chesapeake City Road from U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 between the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery and Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road). Photos taken 03/23/04.

	Descending from the Summit Bridge on U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 northbound near the split with Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road). Delaware 71 curves from the upcoming intersection southeastward around Lums Pond State Park before resuming a northeasterly trajectory to the village of Red Lion and U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway). Photo taken 03/23/04.
	Delaware 71 northbound shield for the upcoming split. Delaware 71 at one time carried U.S. 301S from U.S. 13 to Delaware 896 and the Summit Bridge. Delaware 71 arcs southeast from the bridge to Old Summit Road and Chesapeake City Road. The convoluted alignment came into existence when the new Summit Bridge replaced the original span on Old Summit Road to the east of U.S. 301 & Delaware 896. Photo taken 03/23/04.
	U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 continue northward to Glasgow and Newark and Delaware 71 turns east to Red Lion and Wilmington. 0.75 miles to the southeast is the east end of Chesapeake City Road. The east-west roadway connects Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) with the Chesapeake City, Maryland. At the Maryland state line Chesapeake City Road becomes Maryland 285 (Biddle Street). Photo taken 03/23/04.
Delaware 71 north
	Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) northbound curves southeastward from U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 (Summit Bridge Road) to Chesapeake City Road and Lums Pond State Park. Chesapeake City Road begins its westward journey at Red Lion Road. The two-lane highway crosses over U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 (Summit Bridge) en route to Maryland 285 and Chesapeake City, Maryland. Photo taken 03/23/04.
Delaware 71 south
	Two miles south of Red Lion and Delaware 7 (Bear-Corbitt Road) is the crossing of Delaware 72 (Wrangle Hill Road) on Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) southbound. Delaware 72 arcs northwest from Delaware City (junction Delaware 9), Wrangle Hill (junction SR 1 Turnpike, U.S. 13, and Delaware 7) past Delaware 71 to junction U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) and the city of Newark. Photo taken 04/17/04.
	Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) southbound after the intersection with Delaware 72 (Wrangle Hill Road) near Williamsburg. Red Lion Road heads southwest toward Kirkwood and Lums Pond State Park. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	An old ARCO sign remains in place at the Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) signalized intersection Howell School Road. Howell School Road stems west from Kirkwood to U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 north of Lums Pond State Park. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Continuing southwest along Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) around Lums Pond State Park. The park surrounds Lums Pond and offers hiking, fishing, boating, and a set of ball fields and tennis courts. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Delaware 71 (Red Lion Road) curves northwest to the intersection with Chesapeake City Road. Chesapeake City Road travels west over U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 (Summit Bridge Road) to the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery and transition into Maryland 285 (Biddle Street) east of Chesapeake City, Maryland. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Red Lion Road ends in a northwesterly fashion at junction U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 (Summit Bridge Road) opposite Brennan Boulevard. U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 travel northward to Glasgow and southward to Mount Pleasant. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Shield assembly for U.S. 301, Delaware 71-896, and Interstate 95 at the Red Lion Road intersection with Summit Bridge Road. U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 travel northward to U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) at Glasgow, where U.S. 301 ends. Delaware 896 north continues to Exit 1 of Interstate 95 at Newark. Southward, U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 ascend over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal via the four-lane Summit Bridge. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Traffic lights strung across the Delaware 71 intersection with U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 (Summit Bridge Road). Brennan Boulevard stems west through 1990s and 2000s constructed subdivisions, linking Summit Bridge Road with Denny Road near Frazier Road. Photo taken 01/02/08.
U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 south
	A lone Delaware 71 shield resides just south of the U.S. 301 & Delaware 896 intersection with Red Lion Road. The three routes ascend from here onto the Summit Bridge on a two-mile limited access roadway. Photo taken 04/04/04.

The Summit Bridge is a cantilever span over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. The four-lane cantilever bridge opened to traffic in 1960 and is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A two-mile freeway segment of U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 features an overpass for Chesapeake City Road and 50 MPH speed limit. The Summit Bridge received the American Institute of Steel Construction award as the most beautiful bridge in 1960. Photos taken 04/04/04, 08/10/04, and 01/02/08.

	Descending toward the northern terminus of Delaware 15 (Bethel Church Road) on U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 southbound. Delaware 15 provides an alternate route between Summit Bridge and the city of Middletown by way of western New Castle County. Bethel Church Road becomes Delaware 286 0.75 miles to the west at Choptank Road (Delaware 15). Delaware 286 travels west from there to Chesapeake City, Maryland. Photo taken 01/02/08.
		Delaware 15 saw extension from central Delaware to Summit Bridge by 1993. The state route previously linked U.S. 13 near Woodside with Delaware 14 in Milford. The extension of the designation overtakes several rural highways west of Dover and Smyrna. At Middletown Delaware 15 travels Bunker Hill Road northbound to Choptank Road and Bethel Church Road. A guide sign remained in place on U.S. 301 southbound for the Bethel Church Road intersection displaying "Road 433 - Chesapeake City". The panel dated from before the Delaware 15 extension but was replaced by 2007. The new sign would better convey information if it included "Delaware 15 south to Delaware 286", since the Delaware 286 connection leads west to Maryland 286 and Chesapeake City. Photos taken 04/04/04 & 01/02/08.

	U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 at the southbound beginning of Delaware 15 near Summit Bridge. Delaware 15. The state highway returns to U.S. 301 6.7 miles to the south at junction Delaware 299 (Main Street) in Middletown. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Until 2000, the traffic signals at the Delaware 15 (Bethel Church Road) intersection were set in caution phase. New developments to the west on Delaware 286 and to the south on U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 led DelDOT to activate the signals. Photo taken 04/04/04.
	Over 1,000 new homes are under construction or exist on U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 southbound between Delaware 15 and Mt. Pleasant. Pictured here is a southbound set of reassurance shields posted between Bethel Church Road and Old Summit Bridge Road. The new homes are overtaking a path that was once intended for a U.S. 301 freeway. Photo taken 04/04/04.
	Old Summit Bridge Road (original Delaware 71) ends at U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 0.75 miles to the east of Delaware 15. The north-south road travels northward from the triplex into the village of Summit Bridge. Lorewood Grove Road provides an east-west route between Old Summit Bridge and U.S. 13 at South St. Georges to the north of the traffic signal. Photo taken 04/04/04.
	U.S. 301 & Delaware 71-896 reassurance shields posted south of Old Summit Bridge Road; these are new replacements which properly show the order of U.S. 301 to Delaware 71 & 896. Delaware 896 departs the multiplex 1.4 miles to the south at Mt. Pleasant. Delaware 71 continues another 3.4 miles to the intersection of U.S. 301 and Broad Street in Middletown. Photo taken 01/02/08.

A series of guide signs advise motorists of the impending split of Delaware 896 (Boyds Corner Road) south from U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 (Summit Bridge Road) at Mount Pleasant. Boyds Corner Road represents the original U.S. 301 link between Summit Bridge Road and U.S. 13 (Dupont Parkway). The route also provides a direct route to Exit 142 of the SR 1 Turnpike for interests south to Smyrna, Dover, and the Delaware beaches. Photos taken 01/02/08.

	Delaware 896 (Boyds Corner Road) turns east for its final approach to U.S. 13 (Dupont Parkway) at Boyds Corner. U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 continue along Summit Bridge Road southward into Middletown. Churchtown Road heads west through growing suburban areas to Maryland 310 (Cayots Corner Road). Photo taken 01/02/08.
	U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 southbound reassurance shields posted after their split with Delaware 896 at Mount Pleasant. U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 follow two-lane Summit Bridge Road three miles south to Middletown from Mt. Pleasant. This alignment will be replaced by a four-lane limited access toll road, currently under environmental study and design. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Solo Delaware 71 shield posted after the Summit Bridge Road intersection with Old School House Road. Old School House Road heads southwest from U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 to Choptank Road. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Planned U.S. 301 will cross Delaware 71 (Summit Bridge Road) north of the intersection with Marl Pit Road east and Armstrong Corner Road west. Ramps will tie the new toll road into Summit Bridge Road north of the intersection. Pictured here are reassurance shields posted after the intersection. Photo taken 01/02/08.
	Junction Delaware 71 southbound shield posted on U.S. 301 & Delaware 71 (Summit Bridge Road) southbound as they enter Middletown. Delaware 71 splits ahead from U.S. 301 so the junction banner on this assembly is unnecessary. Photo taken 09/25/04.
	Delaware 71 prepares to split with U.S. 301 via Broad Street into downtown Middletown. U.S. 301 followed Broad Street with Delaware 71 until 1993 when a new alignment opened west of town. Now the bypass of U.S. 301 is lined with suburban sprawl and is becoming increasingly congested. Photo taken 09/25/04.
	The partition of Delaware 71 south (Broad Street) and U.S. 301 (Middletown Warwick Road). Both highways intersect Delaware 299 (Main Street) within the next mile. The Norfolk-Southern Railroad line crosses Broad Street adjacent to U.S. 301. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Delaware 71 Offsite Links

• Delaware 71 @ OKRoads.com (Eric Stuve)

Page Updated January 5, 2008.