Posted on 01/20/2016 10:30:32 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
CLARKSVILLE, Md. — Big improvements to Maryland Route 32 will cover more than 20 miles from Clarksville to Eldersburg.
Gov. Larry Hogan and Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman announced Thursday that a stretch of Route 32 will get a much-needed expansion.
After nearly a decade of pleading with state officials, the traffic and safety nightmare on Route 32 is finally being addressed. Hogan is committing $152 million to widening the highway and making safety improvements.
"Governor, there are citizens who have died on this roadway. There are friends of all of us who have died or have been hurt, and we are so thankful that you have heard our call," Kittleman said.
Over the past few years, State Highway Administration has reported there have been 76 crashes, with 31 resulting in 40 injuries, along this stretch of Route 32. Over a 10-year period, there were a total of 179 crashes reported by the SHA.
According to the Howard County Police Department, these numbers do not include dozens of additional collisions resulting in "minor property damage" that are not reported to the state.
The work will be completed in three phases and will stretch from Maryland Route 108 in Howard County to Maryland Route 26 in Carroll County.
"We are starting our planning study, which will take it up to 26," Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn said.
The state is splitting the $33 million cost of the first phase with Howard County. The two-lane highway between Route 108 and Linden Church Road will be widened to four lanes.
"During the campaign, I made it very clear that building, maintaining and fixing Maryland's roads and bridges would be our top transportation priority," Hogan said.
The second phase is a $107 million project to widen Route 32 from Linden Church Road to Interstate 70. The plan is to begin in 2019.
In addition, $6 million will be earmarked to replace a bridge that carries Triadelphia Road over Route 32.
Planning for the third phase is already underway, which will widen Route 32 up to Route 26. Another related project includes $5 million to improve an intersection near the armory in Sykesville.
"It affects not only our infrastructure, but just as importantly, our economic ability and our ability to grow," Carroll County Commissioner Doug Howard said.
Those who work, live and travel in the area are thrilled.
"The traffic stops at certain times. Literally, if you pull onto 32 toward Carroll County, it's stopped," Andrea Varnai said.
"In my opinion, 32 is one of the most-congested roads around here, so if you widen it to four lanes, it would be awesome," Jordan Biniak said. "It's terrible, it takes you like 35 minutes to go 5 miles."
"I'd say by the naval base there, it gets pretty congested," Brandon Turner said.
"I think that everywhere needs to expand at some point, so it's OK if it looks less country-ish, I guess. I don't really care," Sam Thach said.
The project still needs approval from the Howard County Council.
"Clearly this project is going to relieve considerable congestion for our residents," said Councilman Greg Fox, District 5, where the project will take place. "The state highway statistics I've seen indicate that Phase I alone could reduce delays in the morning and evening rush hours by as much as 74 percent and 78 percent, respectively."
The Howard County portion of the money will come from an excise tax fund.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Definitely needed. Also definitely needed are improvements/enhancements to the 175 corridor (to support the increasing NSA/Ft. Meade and related traffic).
So completing a ring highway to I-70.
A considerable public service, making it possible to drive through and out of the state that much more quickly.
I always tell the family to turn off their cell phones when we drive by the NSA @ Ft Meade. hee hee
I’m guessing it took a Republican governor to get this done?
You betcha. Owe’Malley was a Democrat choo choo pusher.
Route 70 West at route 29 and on is a parking lot each evening rush hour.
32 only helps those coming from the South (East) in that direction.
Much flight to the West
A considerable public service, making it possible to drive through and out of the state that much more quickly.
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If you are on 32 trying to get out of Maryland, you’re lost.
I’m happy to say I’ve never been in Maryland in my life.
They need to widen I-70 to six lanes, plus auxiliary lanes, from Route 32 all the way to I-695 (making the highway eight lanes, except where it meets Route 29 and U.S. 40).
I’m happy to say I’ve never been in Maryland in my life.
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That was pretty obvious.
Born and raised here. Still live here. So does my family. Will likely die here.
‘Will likely die here.’
Not anytime soon, I hope.
Not anytime soon, I hope.
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Me, too.
Just a statement that home is home.
My dogs would prefer Florida or someplace we can hike year ‘round. I have to give the bowhunters my hiking trails from September through January.
also, for my fellow free staters who know their geography, the bridge to cobb island (southern tip of charles county) is being replaced.even those who live on the island (about 300 houses - some seasonally occupied) haven’t a clue why it’s being replaced.
‘My dogs would prefer Florida or someplace we can hike year ‘round.’
I’m on the same page as your dogs.
How long after before it becomes a toll road?
I thought FL was bad! Geez, I went back home last May after a 8yr hiatus and couldn’t believe the expansion, construction...and TOLLS. I thought I was in Jersey for a brief time *shudder*
Notice that 70 E to 695 N has that bottleneck when it has to go to one lane to go under 70W and 695S.
They’ll eventually have to rebuild that stack to acknowledge that I-70 will never go through Baltimore.
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