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OFFICE OF PLANNING AND PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING707 NORTH CALVERT STREET, MAIL STOP C-301BALTIMORE, MD 21202

US 220Project Planning Study

P R O J E C T N E W S L E T T E R • J U L Y 2 0 1 7

220

The US 220 Project Planning Study in Allegany County has been restructured with the development of a new alternative that focuses roadway improvements on local trouble spots and minimizes property impacts.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has begun detailed study of a new proposal – Alternative 2A Modified – and dropped from further consideration all preliminary build alternatives presented at the Informational Public Workshop on December 9, 2015.

The purpose of the study is to improve the existing transportation system along 5.2 miles of US 220 (McMullen Highway) and 3.2 miles of MD 53 (Winchester Road), from I-68 (National Freeway) to the southern limit of Cresaptown. We would like your feedback to help the study team consider further refinements to address the most pressing safety and mobility needs in the project area, refer to the back of this newsletter for contact information.

US 220 Project Moving Forward With A New Focus

US 220Project Planning Study 220

MDOT SHA is committed to keeping the public involved throughout the project and welcomes all questions and comments. For more information or to be added to or removed from the project mailing list, interested persons should contact the Project Manager:

Miss Carmeletta HarrisOffice of Planning and Preliminary Engineering707 North Calvert Street, Mail Stop C-301, Baltimore, MD 21202Phone: 410-545-8522 Toll-Free: 1-800-545-5026Email: charris@sha.state.md.us.

Additional information on this project can be found on our website atwww.roads.maryland.gov. Click on Projects, SHA Projects Page, type US 220 into the search bar on the map, select US 220, McMullen Highway SRI - I-68 (NATIONAL FREEWAY) TO CRESAPTOWN, VIA US 220 AND MD 53 then click on Additional Information, or use the QR code.

We Want to Hear from You

US 220 Project Planning Study Allegany County 220

The project team has changed direction following feedback received from more than 160 people who attended the 2015 public workshop. The concepts presented included a variety of widening options to existing US 220 and MD 53, and alternatives proposing to reconstruct US 220 and/or MD 53 to a limited access freeway on new alignment.

Over half of the comments received expressed concern with the residential and business property impacts caused by the US 220 and MD 53 road widening alternatives (Alternatives 2, 3A and 3B); and that the proposed relocations of US 220 (Alternative 4 and 6) and MD 53 (Alternative 5 and 7) were unnecessary and too costly. Attendees indicated that the current evening rush hour traffic congestion at the US 220/MD 53 intersection in Cresaptown was a problem. There were suggestions for MDOT SHA to consider adjusting or implementing traffic signals at other locations within the study area.

In response, the project team developed Alternative 2 Modified, which proposes localized roadway and intersection improvements in commercial areas within Cresaptown and along MD 53 near Country Club Mall. Sidewalk and shoulder improvements are also proposed in focused areas along both corridors. The intent is to improve safety and mobility in the areas with the greatest needs, while reducing the natural and community impacts. The new alternative (described below) essentially takes the Transportation System Management (TSM) components of Alternative 2 and combines them with targeted improvements in Cresaptown.

New Alternative Developed

Alternative 2 Modified includes the following:

• Cresaptown intersection improvements:

• MD 53 would be widened between MD 636 (Warrior Drive) and US 220 to a two-lane, two-directional roadway. The MD 53 southbound approach to US 220 would include a dedicated right-turn lane to southbound US 220. Retaining walls would be added along southbound MD 53 within the Cresaptown area to reduce property impacts. A sidewalk would be added along the southbound side of MD 53.

• Northbound US 220 would be widened to provide a left-turn lane to MD 53.

• Improvements would also include signal timing adjustments at the US 220/ MD 636 intersection and a potential new signal at the MD 53/ MD 636 intersection.

• Specific TSM improvements include:

• Signal, turn lane, and/or business access adjustments to address safety and traffic flow concerns at intersections along MD 53 accessing the Country Club Mall and at MD 658.

• Sidewalks would be constructed along northbound US 220 to access community facilities just north of Cresaptown.

• Existing shoulders along both MD 53 and US 220 would be improved where needed for consistency, allowing for continuous safe pull-over zones and bicycling.

• MDOT SHA would also consider improvements to routing and bus stops for the Allegany Transit System.

Alternative 2 Modified Details

New Alternative Developed

Based on the impacts analysis conducted by the study team, along with comments received from the public and government agencies, MDOT SHA has begun the Detailed Study Stage with two alternatives under consideration, while seven alternatives have been dropped.

Concerns Expressed at Public Workshop

Moving Forward: Two Alternatives Retained; Seven Alternatives Dropped

• Alternative 3 – US 220 and MD 53: 3-Lane Undivided• Alternative 3A – US 220 and MD 53: 3-Lane Undivided (With Additional Lane)• Alternative 3B – US 220 and MD 53: Shared 4-Lane on Existing Alignment • Alternative 4 –US 220 Relocated: 4-Lane Divided Arterial/Highway• Alternative 5 – MD 53 Relocated: 4-Lane Divided Arterial/Highway• Alternative 6 – Existing US 220 Upgrade to 4 Lanes• Alternative 7 – Existing MD 53 Upgrade to 4 Lanes

The dropped alternatives posed significant property and environmental impacts, including impacts to the floodplain and stream crossings. Alternatives 3, 3A and 3B were dropped, as each would cause potential displacements to dozens of residences and businesses. Environmental impacts were also a concern as construction would have affected up to five acres of the 100-year floodplain and nearly 3,200 linear feet of streams. Alternatives 4 and 5 were dropped due to the high construction costs, forest impacts, residential displacements west of Cresaptown, and stream impacts. Alternatives 6 and 7 were also dropped due to property and environmental impacts.

Details of each alternative and associated environmental and cost impacts were shown in the workshop brochure, distributed prior to the 2015 Informational Public Workshop. This information can be found on the project website: www.roads.maryland.gov.

Alternatives Dropped from Future Consideration

What’s Next?

The study team will finalize the engineering and environmental analysis and prepare for a public workshop to be held this fall. The purpose of the workshop will be to gather further comments regarding Alternative 2 Modified. Following the workshop, potential revisions to the alternative may be made based on comments gathered.

Throughout the summer and fall of 2017, MDOT SHA will conduct a concurrent study along US 220 from Cresaptown to the West Virginia state line. The study will address potential ways to link the I-68 to Cresaptown improvements with transportation needs in the southern part of the corridor. The types of alternatives previously considered in the I-68 to Cresaptown section may be considered in the Cresaptown to West Virginia section if they are warranted and impacts can be balanced.

The US 220 Project Planning Study is funded for Project Planning only. During the Project Planning phase, the project team gives careful consideration to a project’s impacts on the environment, including communities, before choosing an alternative for design and construction. Additional funding will be required to complete the Final Design, Right-of-Way Acquisition, and Construction phases.

• Alternative 1 – No-Build: No additional major improvements are proposed; however, routine roadway maintenance would still occur. This alternative does not address the purpose and need for the project, but provides a baseline for comparing build alternatives.

• Alternative 2 Modified – Transportation System Management Improvements with Cresaptown Intersection Improvements: As discussed earlier, this alternative significantly reduces potential community and environmental impacts when compared to the other build alternatives. It is a cost-effective solution for reducing existing and projected congestion and improving safety along both the US 220 and MD 53 corridors. Detailed engineering and environmental analyses are underway.

Alternatives Retained for Detailed Study (ARDS)

Project Timeline

Identify Alternative Retained for Detailed Study – Spring 2017

Public Workshop to present Proposed Preferred Alternative – Fall 2017

Select Preferred Alternative, Complete Planning – Winter 2018

MDOT SHA appreciates the patience and cooperation of the community and apologizes for any inconvenience. MDOT SHA reminds motorists to “Think Orange” when driving through work zones by

staying alert and slowing down. Always buckle up, and please drive safely.