DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANNING & BUILDING INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANNING & BUILDING INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: VIA: VIA: VIA: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Board of County Commissioners Terry L. Shannon, County Administrator 11-5 Thomas Barnett, AICP, Director, Community Planning & Building T/3 Jenny Plummer-Welker. AICP, Long Range Planner, CP&B Patricia Haddon, AICP, Principal Planner, CP&B February 18, 2015 MD 2/4 Phase II Widening through Prince Frederick Background: The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has begun Phase II of a three phase project to upgrade Maryland 2/4 to a three lane highway through Prince Frederick. The first phase of the project widened MD 2/4 from MD231 (Hallowing Pt. Rd.) to just south of Commerce Ln. (near the Walmart). SHA staff will be at your February 24 th meeting to brief you on the project and answer any questions you may have. Staff has provided you with a brief description below, and a copy of presentation materials is attached. Discussion: The State Highway Administration MD 2/4 Phase II project will pick up where Phase I left off, near the Walmart, and continue north to just north of the traffic light at Fox Run Blvd. This phase will involve widening the road, installing sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliant crosswalks at intersections, landscaping along the sides of the roadway and in the median strips, and marking bicycle lanes. Conclusion/Recommendation: Review attached materials, hear presentation, ask questions, and make comments.

2 MD 2/4 (SOLOMONS ISLAND ROAD) CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT - PHASE II PROJECT NEWSLETTER WINTER / MD 2/4 PHASE II DESIGN WORK UNDERWAY; INFORMATIONAL MEETING SCHEDULED The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is developing plans to improve travel conditions along Solomons Island Road between Fox Run Boulevard and Commerce Lane in Prince Frederick. The project will improve traffic operations and enhance the safety and mobility of vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians by adding a third through lane, continuous auxiliary lanes, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks along the corridor. For additional information, you are invited to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, March 11, The meeting will acquaint the public with the project and provide attendees an opportunity to inform SHA of their project-related concerns. Maps and exhibits depicting current designs and plans for improvements will be on display, and SHA representatives will be available to answer questions concerning the planned design work. No formal presentation will be given. You may arrive at any time during meeting hours and walk through at your own pace. (See back page for meeting details.) Project Overview & Purpose The purpose of the project is to improve traffic operations and safety along the MD 2/4 corridor in Prince Frederick by providing adequate roadway capacity to accommodate existing and projected traffic demand. Roadway improvements include: Widening MD 2/4 with a raised median to provide three through lanes, a bicycle lane, and a continuous auxiliary lane in each direction Widening MD 402 (West Dares Beach Road) to provide a second receiving lane for left turns from southbound MD 2/4 Constructing new sidewalks to provide pedestrian mobility and ensure ADA compliance Adding a newly designed drainage system for the widened roadway on MD 2/4 Removing the U-turn movement at Steeple Chase Drive (northbound to southbound MD 2/4) Eliminating the skewed intersection of MD 2/4 with MD 765A just north of Commerce Lane Reconfiguring Commerce Lane to a full-movement intersection Providing access control on southbound MD 2/4 south of the MD 402 intersection Providing aesthetic improvements that create a boulevard-like roadway and enhance community character Restoring Mill Creek (under study) Project Background In the 1990s, SHA worked with Calvert County representatives and community stakeholders to complete a planning study for improvements to approximately three miles of MD 2/4 in Prince Frederick. Phase 1, which made improvements to a portion of MD 2/4 from north of MD 231 (Hallowing Point Road / Church Street) to Old Field Lane and to part of MD 231 was completed in Phase II will continue roadway improvements northward from north of MD 231 to Fox Run Boulevard. Next Steps The MD 2/4 Corridor Improvement Project is funded for Design and Right-of-Way Acquisition. Project design is 30 percent complete and is scheduled to be completed by Fall The project will move to Construction when funds become available. For More Information Mr. Kelvin Saldanha, SHA Project Manager Office of Highway Development 707 North Calvert Street, Mail Stop C-102 Baltimore, Maryland Phone: Toll Free: KSaldanha@sha.state.md.us For more information about this project, please visit SHA s website at and click on Projects and Studies, SHA Projects Page, Calvert County, MD 2/4, Solomons Island Road (Phase 2) or use the QR code below. Request for Assistance The Maryland Relay Service can assist teletype users at Persons requiring assistance to participate, such as an interpreter for hearing/speech disabilities or assistance with the English language, should contact Mr. Saldanha by March 4, QR Code Cell Phone Link to Project Page

3 MD 2/4 (Solomons Island Road) Corridor Improvement Project - Phase II Attend the Puedic Meet4tg! (See Inside for More Details) WHEN: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 WHERE: Calvert Middle School (Cafeteria) 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM 655 Chesapeake Boulevard There will be no Prince Frederick, MD presentation. *Snow Date Tuesday, March 17, 2015 Meeting will be held on snow date if county public schools are closed or if the county s snow emergency plan is in effect. Representatives from a related SHA project, MD 231 at MD 765A, which abuts the MD 2/4 project limit, will also be present at the meeting to explain upcoming construction activity (including a detour) and answer project-related questions. MD 231 at MD 765A is a Community Safety and Enhancement Project located in the heart of Prince Frederick. Improvements are planned on MD 231 from Heritage Boulevard to MD 765A, and on MD 765A from Old Field Lane to Armory Road. Safety improvements at the intersection of MD 231 and MD 765A are a major part of this project. Construction is scheduled to begin in March Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr., Governor Boyd K. Rutherford, Lt. Governor Pete K. Rahn, Acting Secretary Melinda B. Peters, Administrator

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5 SHA worked in concert with Calvert County and Community Stakeholders to complete a planning study in 1997 for upgrades to MD 2/4 over a distance of 3 miles through the heart of Prince Frederick. The first phase of improvements was completed in 2010 and the design for Phase II is now underway. 2

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7 MD 2/4 Phase I 4 After Before

8 MD 2/4 Phase I 5 After Before

9 After Before MD 2/4 Phase I 6

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11 Widen MD 2/4 to provide three through lanes with a bicycle lane and a continuous auxiliary lane in each direction with a raised median. Widen MD 402 to provide a second receiving lane for left-turns from southbound MD 2/4. New sidewalk to provide pedestrian mobility. Enhanced drainage design for the widened roadway. Removing the U-Turn movement at Steeple Chase Drive. Removing the skewed intersection of MD 2/4 at MD 765. Reconfiguring Commerce Lane to a full-movement 4-way intersection. Access control on southbound MD 2/4 south of the MD 402 intersection. Aesthetic enhancements to promote a boulevard-like character. Restoration of Mill Creek is under study. 8

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13 Design is approximately 35% complete. Various engineering studies are underway for utility relocations, environmental impact reduction and restoration of Mill Creek. Design completion anticipated November 16. Currently only funded for design and right-of-way Approximately a 2 year construction period Pending availability of construction funding 10

14 Informational Public Meeting March 11, :30 PM to 8:30 PM Calvert Middle School 655 Chesapeake Boulevard Prince Frederick, MD Project Newsletter Sent to property owners in the project area 11

15 Kelvin Saldanha Project Manager toll free direct /