Public weighs in on Route 90 changes to ease traffic

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(March 3, 2023) Ocean Pines residents who want to get to the beach club on a nice summer day know how congested Route 90 can get. Eastbound traffic queues can extend nearly six miles on Fridays approaching Ocean City, and more than 7.5 miles Saturdays during peak times.

That’s only to be expected when this two-lane spur off Route 50 is the only route into midtown Ocean City, and one of just three that connect the resort and its hundreds of thousands of weekly visitors to the mainland.

That’s why the State Highway Administration (SHA) is evaluating improvements along the Route 90 corridor between Route 50 and Coastal Highway. As part of this effort, SHA initiated the Route 90 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. The results of this study were released on Feb. 23.

“The MD 90 Planning and Environmental Linkages Study helps us explore strategies to improve service for all those who use MD 90, from vacationers and local residents to business travelers and emergency responders,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld.

As part of the study, the SHA conducted an online survey of the public to prioritize projects for the corridor that could be considered in planning and design efforts related to traffic operations, capacity, safety, pedestrian and bicyclist accessibility and emergency evacuation.

The survey included proposals for additional lanes, intersection improvements and new bridges over the St. Martin River and the Assawoman Bay.

A total of 386 people responded to the survey, with 85 percent of the respondents saying they would use Route 90 more often if congestion was reduced.

Ninety percent of those surveyed agreed that improvements were needed along Route 90, and more than half of respondents thought that improvements were needed most along the highway at the Assawoman Bay Bridge, followed by the St. Martin River Bridge (47 percent), the intersection with St. Martin’s Neck Road (46 percent) and Route 589 to St. Martin River (44 percent).

The road, which has a 55 mph speed limit, is a primary evacuation route for Ocean City during a severe weather event or emergency.

“It is our mission to protect and enhance Maryland communities, we know mobility, accessibility, safety and reliability are vital components. This study will help us and our community partners chart a course of action,” said Wiedefeld.

The goals of the project include ac-

See PROPOSALS Page 22