U.S. Route 113

U.S. Route 113 is a north–south United States Numbered Highway on the Delmarva Peninsula connecting coastal and inland communities in Delaware and Maryland. The highway links resort towns, agricultural centers, and transportation arteries, providing access between Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Dover (via connecting routes), and southern Maryland towns such as Salisbury and Pocomoke City. Originally commissioned in the 1920s, the route has undergone realignments, widening, and bypass construction to accommodate tourism, freight, and regional development.

Route description

U.S. Route 113 traverses varied landscapes including coastal plains, estuarine corridors, and rural farmland across Sussex County and Wicomico County into Somerset County. Beginning near Bethel and the intersection with Delaware Route 20 and Delaware Route 24, the corridor proceeds northward past the resort-oriented corridors serving Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City via connecting routes such as Delaware Route 1 and Maryland Route 90. In Georgetown the alignment interfaces with U.S. Route 9 and links to historic districts and county seats. Continuing into Maryland, the route parallels the Pocomoke River and provides connections to Salisbury University and Wicomico County Airport through spurs and intersecting arterials like U.S. Route 13 and Maryland Route 12. Approaching Pocomoke City, the highway terminates near access to Chincoteague Bay and ferry connections toward Assateague Island National Seashore.

History

The designation for the corridor began with the 1926 United States Numbered Highway system, contemporaneous with routes such as U.S. Route 1, U.S. Route 13, and U.S. Route 40. Early alignments followed pre-existing state roads improved during the 1910s and 1920s alongside efforts by state highway agencies like the Delaware Department of Transportation precursor and the Maryland State Roads Commission. Mid-20th century upgrades paralleled national initiatives including Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956-era improvements and postwar tourism expansion to Atlantic City, Cape May, and Ocean City. Bypass projects around Georgetown and corridor straightening in Somerset County reflected changing traffic patterns tied to the rise of Interstate 95 and regional logistics centered on Salisbury. Environmental and preservation debates involving Assateague Island National Seashore and local wetlands influenced alignment choices, resulting in phased construction, limited-access segments, and safety enhancements.

Major intersections

The highway intersects multiple national and state corridors that are significant to regional mobility and commerce. Notable junctions include the confluence with U.S. Route 13 near Delmar and Salisbury, links to Delaware Route 1 which serves Rehoboth Beach, and connections with Maryland Route 12 toward Snow Hill. Interchanges provide access to U.S. Route 9 and state routes serving Lewes and the Cape Region. The corridor’s intersections facilitate movements to regional hubs and national networks including access toward Interstate 95 via connectors and to coastal tourism destinations such as Ocean City, Chincoteague, and Assateague National Seashore via spur routes and feeder highways.

Future and improvements

Planned improvements focus on safety, capacity, and resiliency amid rising tourism and freight demand. Projects coordinated by agencies including the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Maryland Department of Transportation involve corridor widening, interchange modernization, and drainage upgrades to mitigate flooding near the Nanticoke River and Pocomoke River. Proposals have considered limited-access realignments to enhance freight movement and reduce conflicts with seasonal traffic bound for Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City. Environmental reviews reference statutes such as the National Environmental Policy Act for assessing impacts on wetlands, migratory bird habitats, and historic districts listed by the National Register of Historic Places in Delaware and Maryland. Funding strategies include federal transportation programs tied to reauthorization acts and state capital improvement plans managed by regional planning organizations like the Wicomico County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Related routes and spur routes

Several auxiliary and related designations intersect or branch from the corridor to serve urban centers and waterfronts. State-maintained spurs include alignments to Salisbury University and connectors to Maryland Route 90 toward Ocean City, as well as business routes that traverse downtowns such as Georgetown and Pocomoke City. Historic alignments are documented in state archives and transportation plans alongside related numbered highways like U.S. Route 13, U.S. Route 9, and Delaware Route 1. Coordination among municipal governments in Salisbury, Dover, and county administrations in Sussex County and Somerset County shapes signage, maintenance, and future spur development.

Category:United States Numbered Highways Category:Roads in Delaware Category:Roads in Maryland