Ocean City looks to protect pedestrians with Coastal Highway median fence

In early October, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will begin construction of a median fence along a stretch of Coastal Highway in Ocean City, according to a release.

The $7 million project is expected to be completed by May 2018, according to the release, and is intended to increase safety for motorists and pedestrians alike.

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“(The administration) has partnered with Ocean City Police, City Council and Public Works offices to create initiatives that better serve both locals and tourists,” said Greg Slater, head of the administration.

“With their full support and collaboration, the median fencing project is another effort we are taking in making Maryland roads safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.

According to the release, the 2.7-mile project will include:

• Lengthening median left turn lane on Route 528 North at 52nd Street
• Median fence installation between 62nd Street and Convention Center Drive
• Median roadway lighting installation between 62nd Street and Convention Center Drive
• Signing and pavement markings
• Landscaping
• Grinding and paving of existing roadway from 26th Street to 62nd Street

According to an annual report produced by the Ocean City Police Department, the resort town has had three pedestrian fatalities from 2011 through 2016, with two recorded in 2012 and one last year. The three deaths were out of 155 pedestrian collisions in that same time period.

There has been a single incident so far in 2017.

It occurred on May 21 of this year, when a 23-year-old man was struck and killed crossing Coastal Highway on 45th Street by a driver who was later charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

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The town has made numerous efforts in recent years, via its 'Walk Smart' campaign, to educate visitors about pedestrian safety, and town spokeswoman Jessica Waters said the fence construction is yet another attempt to save lives.

"This is one of the initiatives that has come out of the 'Walk Smart' campaign, which really gained some energy after we had a summer a few years ago with a few pedestrian causalities," she said. "The (administration) really jumped on board after that and this is one of the engineering results, which builds on the education efforts the town has been spearheading."

Jay Meredith, District One engineer for the Maryland State Highway Administration, said the effort to construct the median fence was in response to the high foot traffic Ocean City receives.

“In 2013, our business unit began heavily promoting the use of crosswalks with our 'Walk Smart' campaign, in an effort to mitigate the many pedestrian accidents occurring in Ocean City.

"The construction of the median fence and roadway lighting is another initiative to enhance and solidify the message of pedestrian safety, for one life lost is one too many.”

Over 48,000 vehicles travel Coastal Highway daily, according to the administration.