SNOW HILL – Local leaders used a visit from state transportation officials as an opportunity to advocate for the dualization of Route 90.
During the Maryland Department of Transportation’s annual visit with the Worcester County Commissioners, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan asked to have the dualization of the Route 90 bridge included on the state’s priority list.
“What is the next step?” he said. “What has to happen to get this on track? This is a major issue. It’s something I hope we can work together to address this.”
Meehan’s comments came after a general presentation from Maryland’s Deputy Transportation Secretary Jim Ports, who outlined his department’s six-year capital budget. He said Maryland’s State Highway Administration (SHA) would be doing much in Worcester County.
“Here in Worcester County SHA is hard at work on the 4.6-mile, $52 million widening of US 113 between Massey Branch and Five Mile Branch Road,” he said. “Beginning in the spring of 2017, SHA will begin a $5.9 million project on Coastal Highway … The project will improve pedestrian safety by adding median fencing, lighting and other pedestrian amenities.”
The commissioners said they were appreciative of the improvements that would be coming to the county but Commissioner Joe Mitrecic was quick to ask about the dualization of Route 90.
“We’ve seen the devastation that happens when we have a sinkhole,” he said.
Meehan pointed to the July 31 sinkhole that closed Route 90 at the same time an accident closed Route 50.
“It is an emergency situation,” he said, adding that situations such as that one would prevent emergency vehicles from getting patients to hospitals.
Meehan said the limited routes into and out of Ocean City also proved to be a problem during storms.
“All we need is a high tide three to four feet above normal to close the Route 50 Bridge,” he said. “It does create a very dangerous situation.”
Delegate Charles Otto, Delegate Mary Beth Carozza and Senator Jim Mathias also addressed the transportation officials during Tuesday’s visit.
Otto said he would at least like to see an additional Route 90 lane for motorists leaving Ocean City.
“The traffic is only going to get more horrendous,” he said.
Ports acknowledged the Route 90 comments and advised local officials to send his department a letter formally asking for it to be made a priority. He said then it would be a matter of funding.
“We have $75 billion in needs and $14.4 billion in funds,” he said, adding that he was nevertheless eager to work with local officials to get regional issues addressed.
Commissioner Jim Bunting thanked Ports and the rest of the state’s transportation officials for their recent attentiveness.
“In the last year and a half, Worcester County has gained friends,” he said. “It’s been a big change.”
