Proposals could ease traffic on Rt. 90 for summer travel

Continued from Page 20 commodating existing and future traffic needs, including access for bicycles and pedestrians; improving the level of safety on this well-traveled roadway; improving accessibility during evacuation events; and improving flooding resilience and adaptation.

The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors passed a motion on Nov. 19, 2022 to email the department of transportation and the Worcester County Commissioners its endorsement of the efforts by the Worcester County Bike and Pedestrian Coalition regarding the proposed Route 90 Project, according to board President Doug Parks.

Six concepts were developed and evaluated: one no-build concept and five build concepts. Concepts two and three meet all of the goals for the project.

Concept two includes a divided four-lane stretch from Route 113 to Coastal Highway, retaining the existing median barrier, and a new fourlane bridge to the north or south of the existing bridge. Approximately 39 percent of respondents liked this concept.

Concept three includes a divided four lanes from Route 113 to Coastal Highway with a grass median; a new two-lane roadway north of the existing road for westbound lanes, with the existing road becoming eastbound lanes and a new four-lane bridge to the north or south of the existing bridge.

“The MD 90 study provides us with the information we need to accurately access this vital corridor and summarize recommendations to help us prioritize projects,” said State Highway Administration Administrator Tim Smith.

Already, $15 million has been programmed to advance preliminary design and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) activities along the Route 90 corridor.

To address traffic congestion in the near term, a project to provide an additional eastbound lane on Route 90 could be advanced as an independent project.

The preliminary design and corridor studies would contribute towards the development of a long-term strategy for the highway.

The State Highway Administration anticipates moving forward with preliminary design and evaluations for potential corridor solutions beginning this spring. To see the full report, visit the MDOT SHA website under the project portal page.