Bypass safety study, more on Wicomico's transportation wish list

Exiting the Salisbury bypass onto northbound Route 13 near the Centre at Salisbury, as many locals know, can test the skills of even the most experienced drivers.

Motorists often are forced to dodge and weave between cars across multiple lanes of traffic as some cars traveling on Route 13 attempt to enter the mall on the right side of the highway, while other vehicles coming off the bypass want to access the lefthand lanes of Route 13.

The situation there has prompted Wicomico County officials to ask the Maryland Department of Transportation to study it with an eye to making safety improvements.

The county also is asking the state to take a look at access to the Salisbury bypass on both the eastbound and westbound sides of Route 50.

During a recent work session, County Council President John Cannon said he was glad to see the proposed studies are still in the list of priorities.

“When they put the bypass up the interchanges just seemed to be done as an afterthought,” he said.

The study requests are included in the county’s annual transportation wish list to the state in advance of MDOT’s visit to the county Thursday. During the 7 p.m. meeting at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn will present the draft FY 2019-2024 Consolidated Transportation Program, which details MDOT’s $16 billion six-year capital budget. 

Wicomico officials also are asking the state to look at another problem intersection at Snow Hill Road at Nutters Cross Road to see if a traffic signal is warranted there.

The county’s list also includes a request to improve access to Wor-Wic Community College, including a look at whether a direct access road to the campus from Route 50 should be built.

In spite of a new traffic circle on Walston Switch Road, there are frequent backups as students try to exit the campus and try to get onto Route 50. Cannon noted there are problems with the traffic circle, calling it “a convoluted mess.”

The wish lists also include 14 requests to the Maryland Aviation Administration for projects at the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport. Among them, the county is seeking financial help for runway extensions, reconstruction of taxiways and a drone facility.

The county also is seeking the relocation of the truck weigh station south of Delmar, embankment stabilization on the Salisbury bypass at the Peggy Neck Branch, sidewalk improvements along Route 13 at Naylor Mill Road, North Pointe Drive, Dagsboro Road and Connelly Mill Road, and a raised median and fence on Route 13 between East Main and Church streets.

The list includes requests from the city of Salisbury, including funding for the proposed Riverside traffic circle.

The towns of Delmar, Hebron and Pittsville submitted requests for various projects such as safety and drainage studies, paving and Rail Trail projects.

Many of the items on the county’s wish list are repeats from previous years, but there are three new requests this year, Dallas Baker, the county’s public works director, told County Council members.

The new items include a speed reduction on Mount Hermon Road near Walston Switch Road from 50 mph to 40 mph, a drainage improvement study on Nanticoke Road and a municipal request from the town of Pittsville for help with street paving a drainage projects.

Baker said one item that has been on the list in previous years was removed this year: safety improvements to the intersection at Route 50 and Sixty Foot Road in Pittsville. The State Highway Administration is in the process of adding traffic signals, advance warning signals and median left turn lanes. Completion is expected by spring 2019. 

Twitter: @LizHolland5

Route 13 at Centre Road crashes

State Highway Administration records show there have been 34 crashes involving personal injury or property damage on Route 13 at Centre Road between 2015 and 2017. 

Rear-end crashes were the most common, with 25 reported over the 3-year period.
 

More:Route 50 speed limit lowered at Sixty Foot Road during work

More:Traffic circle in works for busy Riverside intersection