Oceanic Dr. Ramp to Eastbound Rt 50 to Host a Test of Traffic Metering Aug 4-7th

MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith met with Broadneck Peninsula residents at the Broadneck Council of Communities (BCC) general meeting on February 24, 2022. At that meeting, Administrator Smith listened to the residents’ concerns and discussed possible alternatives to address traffic congestion caused by motorists using our Rte #50/301 local service roads instead of staying on the highway. He also asked for additional input to be returned in his SHA requested survey response.

Overall, the residents did not support operational and system preservation improvements, or traffic flow change improvements as effective solutions to the service road problems. The unanimous request was for MDOT SHA to set up a new system to keep Bay Bridge-bound traffic on Route #50/301. For the past several months the MDOT SHA has been collecting and analyzing traffic data along the western shore service roads including Buschs Frontage Rd., East College Pkwy, Whitehall Rd., Skidmore Dr., and Oceanic Dr.

From August 4 through August 7, MDOT SHA performed a pilot ‘ramp-management’ operation at the Oceanic Drive- Exit #32 entry and is repeating this operation this week from Thursday 8/11-Sunday 8/14. This will allow the SHA to collect more data on the reaction of highway drivers who jump to our service roads where the usual flow is now interrupted by a new traffic light operation. The pilot project consists of a portable signal, allowing one car through the yellow caution light with a hold on additional vehicles until there is a clear entry onto E/B
Rte #50/301. Maryland State Police will be on-site for enforcement.

The hours of the pilot ramp-management operation will be:
· Thursday, August 11- from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
· Friday, August 12 – 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
· Saturday, August 13 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
· Sunday, August 14 – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Motorists will continue to be reminded to stay on US #50/301 to ‘Reach the Beach’! Motorists who choose to use the service roads can expect significant delays which should encourage travelers to stay on US 50/301. This pilot is part of a partnering effort with the Broadneck Council to explore traffic relief options near the Bay Bridge and encourage motorists to stay on Route 50/301. MDOT SHA remains committed to finding innovative solutions to connect, protect and facilitate our citizens driving experience in the State of Md.
For real-time traffic conditions, visit – roads.maryland.gov.

We appreciate MDOT SHA’s willingness to work with us to address our communities’ concerns. Please visit the MDOT SHA Project Portal page for the latest updates.

Sincerely,
Pat Lynch
President
Broadneck Council of Communities