To enhance safety, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will install a new traffic signal at the US 50 and Sixty Foot Road intersection, in eastern Wicomico County, just west of MD 354 (Powellville Road).
In response to requests from the local community, SHA studied the intersection to determine if a signal or other changes would enhance safety. SHA traffic engineers analyzed a variety of factors including sight distance, pedestrian activity, crash history, proximity to schools, daily traffic counts, turning movements, physical geometry of the intersection and seasonal impacts.
SHA engineers determined that a signal, along with turn lanes and additional signs, will improve traffic flow and safety through the intersection. SHA announced the decision at a meeting with local elected officials and citizens at the Pittsville Fire Department last night.
“As engineers, our job is to thoroughly research, analyze and study data and use engineering judgment to identify safety improvements for our highways,” said District Engineer Donnie Drewer. “While we considered other options, we determined installing a traffic signal along with advanced warning signs and new separated turn lanes will create a safer intersection at this busy section of US 50.”
The project is not funded for construction although a timeline to construct the new traffic signal and associated improvements will be available by late summer. Approximately 25,000 vehicles travel this section of US 50 each day.
11 comments:
I still say a light is not needed there. Drivers just have to be more patient and look before crossing. There will be many who will say it's about time... NO!! It will cause much more delays.. Next you will want one at Friendship Rd!
Most of the accidents in this area are at this road. Westbound 50 is at an angle at this intersection, drivers judge the distance incorrectly. Also, traffic flow is heavy there. I'm not an expert but I agree with the decision made.
Another bad accident tonight. Just drove by and one Caria crushed and the other is upside down
I still say a light is not needed there. Drivers just have to be more patient and look before crossing. There will be many who will say it's about time... NO!! It will cause much more delays.. Next you will want one at Friendship Rd!
June 4, 2016 at 2:33 PM
IF drivers could be patient, part of what you say could be true, but we all know there will always be at least one driver who will not be patient and cause harm to themselves and others. If the revenuing police would begin enforcing other traffic laws besides speeding such as failing to keep to the right that would also reduce traffic accidents and road rage. But I guess they ins't enough money in enforcing other traffic offenses.
Westbound 50 is at an angle at this intersection, drivers judge the distance incorrectly. Also, traffic flow is heavy there. I'm not an expert but I agree with the decision made.
June 4, 2016 at 3:29 PM
what angle? go to bottom of this blog and look at Joe's picture of intersection. I see no angle.
11:20
Go to Google maps and look at the earth view of the intersection. There is an angle. Put a rule on your screen and see if you can get Sixty foot road to line up on both sides of Route 50. If there was no angle they would line up. I refuse to even use this intersection because of this.
Go to Google maps and look at the earth view of the intersection. There is an angle. Put a rule on your screen and see if you can get Sixty foot road to line up on both sides of Route 50. If there was no angle they would line up. I refuse to even use this intersection because of this.
June 4, 2016 at 11:41 PM
I did as you suggested and the claim that rt 50 westbound has an angle at that intersection is still false. WB 50 has an angle AFTER the intersection and 60 ft rd and rt 50 does not converge to make a 90 degree junction, BUT that should not impair anyone's ability to see traffic coming if they STOP, LOOK and proceed with caution, as is required at any intersection.
But if you have trouble at that intersection you have made a wise decision to avoid it altogether. And since there are a high number of collisions at this intersection maybe what you say does affect certain drivers. No offense to you but looking at this picture of the intersection I don't see why so many have a problem here. Just basic driving skills and perhaps some patience is what is needed to cross safely.
But obviously some must lack in those areas or a traffic light would not be needed. I have crossed at that intersection and have found it easier to turn my vehicle slightly to better see oncoming traffic without straining my neck. So I guess that may be what you mean.
It is a heavily travelled area especially in the summer time and sometimes people do not take the time to judge speed and distance correctly and/or they simple do not care. I was taught that if you cause anyone to change lanes or hit their brakes, you did it wrong. Some people just see a 'hole' and think they can just jump into it with no regard for other drivers.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/ON+US+50+AT+SIXTY+FOOT+ROAD+IN+WICOMICO+COUNTY/@38.3850051,-75.4230454,328m/data=!3m1!1e3
1:36
Sixty Foot Road is at an angle. I prefer to use Woodyard Road to get onto 50 if I'm heading East. Maybe it depends on the vehicle you are driving. The support between the windshield and the side windows differ on each vehicle. Maybe that is blocking the view for some people. I personally don't have a problem with the intersection, but I don't want to take the chance someone else does. I think most of it would be cleared up if people knew who had the right of way. Some think that if they are going straight they have the right of way. Other think that if they were there first and are turning they have the right of way. That slight pause can be enough to cause an accident.
This trying to rationalize this is ludicrous!! People are in too big a hurry, distracted while driving period!!
Sixty Foot Road is at an angle. I prefer to use Woodyard Road to get onto 50 if I'm heading East. Maybe it depends on the vehicle you are driving. The support between the windshield and the side windows differ on each vehicle. Maybe that is blocking the view for some people. I personally don't have a problem with the intersection, but I don't want to take the chance someone else does. I think most of it would be cleared up if people knew who had the right of way. Some think that if they are going straight they have the right of way. Other think that if they were there first and are turning they have the right of way. That slight pause can be enough to cause an accident.
June 5, 2016 at 2:04 AM
Yes it is. And you are also correct about the support, which is another reason I turn my vehicle slightly to compensate for the obstruction. And not knowing who has the right of way and not knowing how to make a turn is also a problem for a lot of people. Some think they are to go to the far end of an intersection to make a turn, which is not what the law states. They are required to turn BEFORE the middle of the intersection. It might get confusing without a diagram to illustrate and it really doesn't apply to this particular intersection.
It's been a pleasure discussing this with you.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
This trying to rationalize this is ludicrous!! People are in too big a hurry, distracted while driving period!!
June 5, 2016 at 6:10 AM
and I bet you are one of those idiots in such a hurry aren't ya? you can't even be civil on a freaking blog. chill out dude(ette)
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