SHA IMPROVES PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND RIDE QUALITY ALONG BALTIMORE AVENUE IN OCEAN CITY

Motorists will Encounter Daily Single Lane Closures through mid-May

(April 30, 2015) – Moving forward with pedestrian and pavement improvements in advance of the busy vacation season, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is completing pedestrian safety improvements on MD 378 (Baltimore Avenue) between 9th and 15th streets.

Crews started in early March by installing “bump-outs,” which are areas that extend into the road or median and “calm” or slow down motorists. Additionally, the bump-out provides a shorter distance for pedestrians to cross.

Beginning Monday, May 4, SHA and its contractor, American Infrastructure of Fallston, will mill (remove the top layer of asphalt), resurface and restripe the same section of Baltimore Avenue. The entire $165,000 project should be complete by mid-May.

Motorists should plan on extra commute time in downtown Ocean City as there will be ingle lane closures from 6 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, as well as single-lane closures on Fridays until 3 p.m. No work is permitted on Saturdays or Sundays.

The spring and summer construction season is getting into high gear. For a statewide listing of most SHA projects, click here for e-Road Ready 2015.

In addition to this project, drivers may also encounter mobile or short-term work zones. Always expect the unexpected, pay extra close attention and drive slowly through any work zone. Whether it’s a tree trimming operation or a bridge project, be aware when orange is there: Think Orange (the color of construction equipment and signs), stay alert and slow down. Everyone is at risk.

In four out of five work zone-related crashes, it is the driver or passenger who is injured or killed. In 2014, nine people lost their lives in Maryland work zone crashes, including four highway workers. While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to keep traffic safely moving in work zones, please partner with us because work zone safety is everyone’s business – slow down and stay alert. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.