The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is working with multiple local agencies on “quick-build" projects to improve safety on state-owned roadways.
The installation is planned for the summer in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Dorchester, Montgomery and Washington counties. It’s part of MDOT’s Complete Streets Initiative, which aims to prioritize a range of safety options for multimodal transportation during all phases of project development.
Complete Streets quick-build projects target intersections or corridors with a history of traffic fatalities and/or crashes. The short-term builds use features that are cost effective and easy to implement on an accelerated timeline, including speed cushions, enhanced pedestrian crossings, lane narrowing and traffic calming measures.
This allows the state to collect data used to support decisions on permanent installations.
“Working with local officials and community stakeholders, the State Highway Administration can quickly and efficiently test demonstration projects that enhance safety and mobility for all roadway users, whether they're walking, biking, riding the bus or driving," State Highway Administrator Will Pines said in a news release.
The upcoming quick-build projects are planned for:
- State Route 14 (Main Street) in Secretary, Dorchester County, at Warwick Elementary School.
- State Route 273 (Telegraph Road) in Fair Hill, Cecil County, from State Route 213 to Ranger Skinner Drive.
- State Route 198 (Spencerville Road) in Burtonsville, Montgomery County, from Athey Road to Lions Den Road.
- State Route 410 (Ethan Allen Avenue) in Takoma Park, Montgomery County, from Jackson Avenue to Carroll Avenue.
- State Route 261 (Lake Shore Drive) in Rose Haven, Anne Arundel County, at Harrington Harbor.
- State Route 65 (N. Church Street)/State Route 34 (E. Main Street) in Sharpsburg, Washington County.
The state’s goal is to have all projects remain in place through the fall. Some may become permanent if successful, while others will be removed after six to nine months.
Last year, an inaugural round of quick-build projects was designed and installed in Maryland’s Howard County, the city of Hagerstown and the town of Bel Air. In Hagerstown, this reduced average top speeds by 15% and the number of people going 20 mph or more over the speed limit by 90% — all while the corridor experienced a 20% increase in traffic volume.
Sources: Maryland Department of Transportation
