SHA, South County Residents Clash Over Route 2 'Improvements'

State Highway Administration plans for changes at five major intersections officials are likely to face a challenge from south county residents at a special open house meeting Thursday night at the Deale Library.

The SHA announced its plans to add left turn lanes along five Route 2 intersections in south county from Harwood Drive to Mt. Harmony Road in Calvert County. However, since the announcement, south county residents have rallied to show their disapproval or the SHA’s plan. The open house meeting will serve as an opportunity for both sides to present their case with those directly affected by the plan.

The SHA’s “MD 2 Intersection Improvement” announcement breaks down each intersection and the desired plan of action. Nearly 20,000 vehicles utilize the local intersections and the left turn lanes should enhance safety by reducing potential rear-end and angle collisions, according to a statement.

The SHA said safety is the purpose for its intersection strategy, but south county resident Joan Turek wrote to the highway administration contending that the planned “improvements” actually cause danger for her and other locals. 

“The left turn lane [at Owensville-Sudley Road] will cross my driveway and the right turn lane will be opposite it … I am concerned that building this dedicated lane could jeopardize my safety and that of my neighbors. Clearly, a proposed safety project should not have that effect.”

Another south county resident, Charlotte Smutko, told Patch she is unhappy with the proposal and that a large number of people are expected at the open house on Thursday evening.

“The SHA’s planned changes are inconsistent with the South County Small Area Plan which keeps Route 2 a two-lane rural road,” Smutko said. “Will Route 2 be less safe as speed increases and left turns become more difficult?”

SHA spokeswoman Kellie Boulware told Patch that the goal is to improve traffic flow while ensuring safety for drivers in both directions. She added that the SHA has no intentions to turn Route 2 into a major highway like I-97 or Route 50.

Smutko said those who oppose the SHA’s plans should attend the open house meeting in Deale to discuss their concerns further.

The open house takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Deale Library, located at 5940 Deale-Churchton Rd.

The SHA’s specific improvements for south county intersections are listed below:

Route 2 at Harwood Drive

• Widen a section of southbound Route 2 at Harwood Drive to construct a dedicated left turn lane for vehicles turning left onto Harwood Drive from Route 2 southbound.
• Keep existing deceleration lane, located along northbound Route 2 for right turns onto Harwood Drive
• Construct a minimum 6-foot wide shoulder on each side of Route 2 for bicycle compatibility.

Route 2 at Owensville-Sudley Road

• Widen a section of southbound Route 2 at Owensville-Sudley Road to construct a dedicated left turn lane for vehicles turning left onto Owensville-Sudley Road from Route 2 southbound.
• Construct an 8-foot wide shoulder along southbound Route 2 for bicycle compatibility.
• Construct upgrades to existing deceleration lane.
• Construct an additional acceleration lane on Route 2 at Owensville-Sudley Road.
• Construction of a minimum 6-foot wide shoulder on each side of Route 2 to maintain bicycle compatibility.

Route 2 at Route 255 (Owensville Road)

• Widen a section of southbound Route 2 at Route 255 to provide a designated left turn lane to Route 255 eastbound.
• Construct upgrades to the existing acceleration and deceleration lanes in the northbound direction along Route 2 at Owensville Road.
• Construct a minimum 6-foot wide shoulder on each side of Route 2 to maintain a bicycle compatibility.

Route 2 at Route 256 (Deale Road)

• Widen a section of southbound Route 2 at Route 256 to provide a designated left turn lane to Route 256 eastbound.
• Construct upgrades to the existing acceleration and deceleration lanes in the northbound direction along Route 2.
• Construct a minimum 6-foot wide shoulder on each side of Route 2 to maintain a bicycle compatibility.

Will you be attending the open house meeting Thursday? Tell me what you think in the comments.