Anne Arundel Traffic Reduction Projects Announced For MD Routes 2, 3, 214

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Leaders last Tuesday announced plans to design improvements to some of Anne Arundel County's most congested roads. The $2.6 million initiative will target these regions:

• Maryland Route 2 (Governor Ritchie Highway) in Arnold
• Maryland Route 3 (Crain Highway) in Gambrills
• Maryland Route 214 (Central Avenue) in Edgewater

The project comes in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, also known as MDOT SHA. The county will work with the state officials to fund and eventually execute this effort, which is still in its early stages. Anne Arundel started this collaboration two years ago.

"Rather than just complaining about traffic on our major state thoroughfares, we created a Permanent Public Improvements fund to cost-share solutions with the state," County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a press release. "MDOT Secretary [Greg] Slater and his team recognized our commitment, and I am proud to announce that we have a signed agreement to move forward together to address our worst traffic bottlenecks."

The announcement came during last week's virtual Consolidated Transportation Program meeting. That is a series of conferences with every Maryland jurisdiction that outlines construction plans for fiscal years 2022 through 2027.

Several other Anne Arundel County hubs also made the state's list of the most-needed transportation upgrades. Those rankings are shown below.

"We all share the vision of a transportation network that’s safe and accessible," Slater stated. "The partnership announced today by County Executive Pitman will help us advance projects that benefit drivers, transit users, bicyclists, walkers and all users."

These are the specifics on each roadway:

Maryland Route 2: "The county will contribute $200,000 to advance 30% of the design portion of a project to add a third northbound lane along MD 2 between US 50 and Arnold Road. New sidewalks and a connection to the B&A Trail will be included in the project. MDOT SHA will contribute $800,000 for the design phase and is managing the design."

Maryland Route 3: "The county will contribute $160,000 to advance 30% of the design for a project to add a third lane in both directions along MD 3 between Waugh Chapel Road and MD 175. This project will also include a shared-use path as well as sidewalks and crosswalks at MD 175. MDOT SHA will contribute $640,000 for the design phase and will manage the design."

Maryland Route 214 And The Mayo Peninsula: "The county will contribute $800,000 for 100% of the design of a project to add capacity and bicycle and pedestrian improvements on MD 214 between MD 468 and Loch Haven Road. MDOT SHA is managing the design."

"Collaborating with our partners and stakeholders always delivers a product that is beneficial to all our customers," MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith added. "Partnering with Anne Arundel County will not only improve these critical corridors, but the entire region as a system."

Residents have complained about these busy areas for years.

More than 1,100 residents signed a petition last month, urging a traffic solution for Maryland Route 3. The appeal was started by the Friends of Andrew Pruski, a political action committee supporting the District 4 county council member.

"This has been an issue in our community for a long time," Pruski said on Facebook. "We need to see some action at the state level."

The petition is viewable at this link.

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RELATED:

• Petition To Fix Maryland Route 3 Traffic Started In Anne Arundel

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