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.
You mean the “Triple Bridges”?
Yes, would be nice to make that ramp 2 lanes, maybe. But I would hate to lose that distinctive landmark!
No, also a Repub Exec.
And notice they only mention the single Repub councilman. I know Kittleman as well as Fox. (My dad worked with Allan’s dad when he was still just an engineer and not a politician.)
Similarly
Maryland finally officially decided that route 29N will not be expanded cutting through Patapsco state park to Baltimore county. Howard county was always resistant on it.
Howard county let a developer take out the woods against route 99 (north side) East of Mt Hebron for another new neighborhood,
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