Dorchester County seeks state traffic feasibility studies for US 50/MD 16 and US 50 crossovers

Public Works Director Dave Edwards told the Dorchester County Council on April 2 that several locations along US 50 and MD 16 need formal traffic and geometric feasibility studies to address access and safety concerns.

Edwards asked the council to approve submitting the following items for State of Maryland funding consideration: a traffic feasibility study for a fully functioning intersection at US 50/MD 16 Mount Holly Road to improve eastbound access; a feasibility and improvement study for MD 16 Mount Holly Road/Chateau Road; a traffic light feasibility and geometric improvement study at Linkwood Road/US 50; and a feasibility study of crossovers on US 50 between Bucktown Road and Mount Holly Road to determine safety improvements.

The council approved the submissions. Edwards said the issue at MD 16/Chateau Road stems from limited accessibility to the eastbound lane of US 50 from MD 16, and that the Aireys Road spur area is under review. He also reported delays on Hambrooks Boulevard due to weather and a damaged custom replacement pipe and said multiple failed cross pipes from recent heavy rainfalls have been temporarily addressed.

The council did not commit local matching funds in the discussion; the action authorizes staff to prepare and submit requests for future State funding consideration. Public Works has a planned follow-up task to submit formal project requests to the State.