Latest news with #StateHighwayAdministration
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Maryland wants your input on pedestrian and bike safety plans
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is seeking public input on pedestrian and bicyclist safety. According to a community announcement, the agency is conducting an online survey and hosting virtual meetings to gather feedback for its Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Assessment. The survey is available until midnight on Aug. 7 at It allows participants to use a digital map to share their experiences walking, biking and rolling on identified routes. The feedback will help the agency evaluate safety needs and update its safety plan for non-motorists. Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, are at a higher risk of being injured or killed in crashes. This assessment aims to address their safety needs, as these groups account for an increasing share of transportation fatalities in Maryland and nationwide. In addition to the survey, the State Highway Administration is hosting five virtual public meetings this summer. These meetings will provide residents an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback on specific geographic areas. All meetings will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. The schedule is as follows: Tuesday, July 8: Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Cecil, Queen Anne's, Kent, Caroline and Talbot counties. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 56292696#. Tuesday, July 15: Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 577377009#. Wednesday, July 16: Baltimore and Harford counties and Baltimore City. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 800335017#. Tuesday, July 22: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 132987841#. Wednesday, July 23: Howard, Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 526650253#. Maryland's first VRU Assessment was completed in November 2023. This year's update aligns with federal requirements and will occur every five years thereafter. The assessment supports the Maryland Department of Transportation's Serious About Safety initiative and the Complete Streets policy, which aims to enhance safety and connectivity for all road users. For more information on major State Highway Administration projects, go to This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at The Herald-Mail is growing its local news: Send your news to us This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Maryland launches survey to improve safety for walkers and bikers
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Roadwork to begin on Jones Falls Expressway, other Maryland highways
April showers bring May flowers, and road construction projects. The State Highway Administration says road crews will be filling potholes and resurfacing the pavement on the Jones Falls Expressway between the Baltimore County border to Old Pimlico Road, in both directions. The more than $350,000 project will happen overnight, starting as early as 9 p.m. on Sunday and running through 5 a.m. on Monday. Drivers can expect double and single lane road closures going both directions, Sundays through Thursdays, until early June. More roadwork projects Drivers, especially motorcyclists, should be aware of uneven pavement while this project continues. This is one of many spring road projects starting in mid-May. Other resurfacing and soil sampling is happening on I-795. Crews will also fill potholes on Reisterstown Road overnight. Work on the I-695 median will also continue, according to the state's road work project portal. "It's needed, but it's a headache" The state says there are nearly 300 roadwork projects happening daily. "It's needed, but it's a headache, but it's just something we all have to get through," said Nita, a Lochearn resident. "It's growing pains for Baltimore." Pothole filling has been top of mind for some, who wait all winter and spring for the roads to be resurfaced. Michael Balsamo, from Pikesville, said he often tows large equipment with his truck. He says when Reisterstown Road was repaved last year, it made his drives easier. "Hey, it has to get done," Balsamo said. "This road [Reisterstown] was horrible a little while ago. Now, at least I can drive it without having my teeth fall out." Others say they think the projects will benefit road safety. "I understand where it has to be done. They're old, they get potholes, and they become a hazard to drivers," Harry Brafmann of Pikesville explained. Some drivers say the roadwork will be better for their cars in the long run, hoping to decrease the major wear and tear. "You have to constantly get your wheel in line, constantly fill your tires up with air. I need new tires," Nita said. "The tearing up of the roads, it feels like sometimes it's useful, and then other times you feel like they're just doing work to make it look like they're working." Crackdown on work zone safety The state has cracked down on work zone safety for roadworkers, adding new speed enforcement cameras to work sites. Earlier this month, the state said more will be rolling out soon. "If you do not want a citation, and more importantly, if you want to protect yourself and your passengers and our highway workers, do not speed," State Highway Administrator Will Pines said. Drivers equate work zones to a video game, trying to be safe despite others speeding by. "It's the real-life Frogger," Nita said. "You just have to get out of the way. Set yourself on a patient and just let them go around."
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Maryland leaders urge drivers to be safe in work zones
Maryland leaders are urging drivers to respect work zones during National Work Zone Awareness Week. Since 2023, the state has tried to stop reckless driving and speeding, particularly in work zones. In March 2023, six construction workers died when two cars, driving at more than 100 mph, collided and crashed into the work zone. In January and February of this year, the state said it issued 48,000 citations for speeding across 10 work zones, with some drivers flying down the Baltimore Beltway at more than 130 mph. On a typical day, there are 300 active construction zones with 1,000 workers posted at sites statewide. So far this year, there have been more than 250 work zone crashes. Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller has spearheaded the state's approach to reduce speeding and make the roadways safer. She says roadworkers are critical to the state and deserve to feel safe on the job. "They're the people whose lives depend on the choices you and I make behind the wheel," Miller said. The state reminds drivers to slow down in work zones and drive like their loved ones are working at the construction site. National Work Zone Awareness Week runs until April 25, and Wednesday marks "Go Orange Day" in Maryland, where people are encouraged to wear orange in support of road workers. The State Highway Administration lists major projects on its website , or drivers can visit MD 511 for real-time traffic updates . The state says automatic enforcement cameras mounted on vehicles on the side of the highway are a key to changing driver behavior and stopping speeding in its tracks. Additional cameras will be placed at worksites this year. In January, the state began a new tiered fine structure for speeding tickets. The faster you go, the higher the fine, according to Lt. Gov Miller. The fines also double when workers are present on the roadway. The highest fine is $1,000, which requires a driver to go more than 40 mph over the posted limit. Twenty-three drivers face this fine so far in 2025. "That's not a coincidence, it's a clear sign we still have much work to do," Miller said. Miller says the most concerning statistic is that two drivers flew down the highway in an active work zone at 132 mph and 134 mph, respectively. "In fact, these two vehicles were recorded going faster than the vehicles involved in those deadly crashes [in 2023]," said William Pines, the Administrator of the State Highway Administration. The state says citations are lower in the first few months of 2025 when compared to the same time in the last two years, and with more speed cameras deployed. "Since we have implemented automated speed cameras at more work zone locations, we have seen citations. The amount of speeding has come down," Miller said. In Prince George's County, a grassroots effort to stop speeding on MD 210 is taking hold. SafeRoadsMD is an organization working to create legislation and awareness about speeding statewide. Ron Weiss's efforts have mostly focused on this busy roadway connecting Washington, D.C., to Indian Head, Maryland. "We caught someone last year going 190 mph," Weiss said. Weiss says driver behavior needs to change everywhere, and speed cameras and hefty fines could catch the attention of drivers. "Changing your behavior doesn't cost anything, but it takes a long time to change behavior. It took about a generation to get people to use seatbelts," Weiss said.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Yahoo
Two die in Garrett County crash
OAKLAND — A Garrett County woman and a 16-year-old boy were killed Friday afternoon in a vehicle accident on Hutton Road, the Garrett County Sheriff's Office said. Corina Sue Hymes, 55, of Terra Alta, and the 16-year-old, who was not identified, were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred about 2:25 p.m. near the intersection of Hutton and Dilly roads when a Honda Civic and Ford F-150 hit head-on, the sheriff's office said. In addition to deputies, volunteer firefighters from Oakland, Deer Park, Aurora and Terra Alta, and Southern Garrett Rescue Squad responded. Personnel from the State Highway Administration and Garrett County Roads Division also assisted. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Overnight work to begin near Woodrow Wilson Bridge; driver should expect delays
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. () — Multiple lanes will close near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge for bridge joint repairs starting next week. Overnight commuters are advised to plan ahead and allow for extra travel times. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration will close four lanes (two local and two through lanes) on SB I-95/I-495 on the Capital Beltway. Fairfax City Restaurant Week back for 8th year Closures will be in effect weeknights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting on Monday, Feb. 10. MDOT said the temporary bridge joint repairs should be completed by late February, depending on weather conditions. In addition to the four lane closures, the ramp from DC 295 (Anacostia Freeway) to southbound I-95 will be closed. Drivers will be detoured to exit 1B toward National Harbor before continuing to I-95/I-495 toward Richmond. Drivers are advised to follow detour signage. For more information, click . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
