MDOT SHA Widened Major Roads, Eliminated Bottlenecks and Rehabilitated Bridges on Key Routes to Shore Destinations Providing a New Shore Travel Experience

(May 25, 2018) – As winter-weary drivers look forward to the summer getaway season, the Hogan Administration is delivering key projects to make it easier to travel to shore destinations with major projects underway from Annapolis to Ocean City, valued at nearly $328 million. Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is kicking off one of the largest construction seasons in history. To date, MDOT SHA has 506 active or advertised projects totaling approximately $3.7 billion.

“Our administration is following through on our promise to eliminate constant headaches for drivers who are tired of sitting in never-ending daily congestion, especially heading to the Eastern Shore,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We have provided a smoother, faster drive for millions of Marylanders by easing the congestion and costly gridlock that was previously ignored. This summer, Maryland – and our roads – are open for business!”

The Severn River Bridge project recently eliminated the all-too-familiar gridlock that formed as more than 145,000 summer travelers per day competed for a section of pavement during summer hours only to be greeted by a lane drop-off. Late last summer, MDOT SHA started a $22.8 million project to remove the bottleneck by joining eastbound and westbound bridges into one bridge and restriping US 50 to create a fourth eastbound through lane.

MDOT SHA opened the fourth lane to travelers April 26, a full month ahead of the planned Memorial Day target date.

 

Delivered on-time and on-budget before the Thanksgiving Holiday 2017, summer travelers now have four lanes on MD 404 between US 50 and the Town of Denton. Addressing the No. 1 transportation priority for Caroline, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties, widening MD 404 improves safety and alleviates traffic congestion caused by high seasonal peaks associated with summer resort traffic. The $158 million investment also makes the roadway safer as the opposite directions of traffic are divided by a median.

“The upgraded MD 404 was completed and delivered on-time due to a transformative design-build process, aggressive work schedule and a committed team of MDOT SHA and its contractors,” said MDOT Secretary Pete K. Rahn.

 

The $23.8 million project to upgrade 11 bridge decks (driving surface) on the US 13/US 50 (Salisbury Bypass) is on-schedule to be complete in June. This proactive project addressed bridge decks that were more than 40 years old and nearing the end to their service life. Every beach-bound driver will enjoy a smoother ride along this popular route. This project is part of Governor Hogan’s priority of eliminating all the structurally deficient bridges in Maryland.

MDOT SHA opened the right lanes of the US 13/US 50 Salisbury Bypass before Memorial Day weekend, returning the Bypass to its normal four-lane configuration for the first time in nearly two years.  Crews will complete the project in June by restoring Bypass medians to their pre-construction condition and paving the northbound lanes.

Last fall, MDOT SHA began a $7 million project to install a median pedestrian safety fence and lighting on Coastal Highway between 26th and 62nd streets. The fence will guide Ocean City visitors to marked crosswalks that have pedestrian signals, deterring dangerous jaywalking. MDOT SHA is also resurfacing and restriping this section of Coastal Highway just in time for the busy vacation season.

To the delight of more than 13,000 summer travelers daily, MDOT SHA is adding the final touches to complete its $50.4 million project to widen 4.6 miles of US 113 between Massey Branch and Five Mile Branch Road. Crews are in the final paving stage and the road will be available to drivers this summer. MDOT SHA is underway with the last segment of US 113 to be widened. The 4.3-mile section lies between MD 365 (Public Landing Road) and Five Mile Branch Road. US 113 between the Towns of Snow Hill and Berlin is projected to experience an increase travel volume of summer travelers to nearly 21,000 vehicles by 2035.

A breath of fresh air is in store for local travelers that regularly traverse Easton, Tanyard, Preston and Federalsburg. The new Dover Bridge on MD 331 (Dover Road) at the Talbot/Caroline County line eliminates the need for a draw span as it is high enough to accommodate marine traffic of nearly all sizes. The fixed span will prevent the miles of backups that can occur during spring and summer months. The $64.5 million bridge replacement project will be open this summer. The old swing bridge, which was built in 1932, will remain in place as a fishing pier, but the channel will remain open permanently for marine traffic.

While MDOT SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands. For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA's electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto www.md511.org.