From the State Highway Administration:
(October 14, 2010) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will continue highway safety enhancements to the US 1 Bel Air Bypass in Harford County by installing a double-sided traffic barrier in the median along a two-mile section of the Bypass between MD 24 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway) and MD 924 (Rock Spring Road). Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley announced new funding for the median barrier project today as she appeared before Harford County’s state and local elected officials at the Department of Transportation’s annual meeting with the county to discuss capital improvement projects.
“This is an important safety project for Harford County residents and all those who use the US 1 Bypass,” said Secretary Swaim-Staley. “Governor Martin O’Malley has made public safety a top priority and the county’s elected leadership has made it clear that this project is a priority for Harford County residents. We are pleased to be able to fund this improvement with the goal of reducing crashes and saving lives.”
The US 1 Bel Air Bypass project is currently in the design phase and construction is expected to begin mid-summer 2011. The estimated cost of the project is $3.4 million.
SHA will install the median barrier along the undivided section of the Bypass between MD 24 and MD 924. The barrier will enhance safety by preventing vehicles from crossing over lanes, resulting in a reduction of head-on crashes.
Other SHA improvements made to the Bel Air Bypass during the past year include: installing center line rumble strips between Water Tower Way and the Winters Run Bridge, adding wider white edge lines to slow traffic and installing signs calling for “Mandatory Headlight Use” on this section of road.
Safety is SHA’s number one priority. Visit www.Chooseafetyforlife.com for more information on highway safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Glad they are fixing it. However, it seems there are more accidents(bad ones) on Route 23 at Grafton shop and Route 23 at High Point. I wish they would do something there like round-abouts too…………..
3.4 million for 2 miles of jersey walls–wish I had that contract..
Roundabouts on 23? Heavens no. If you can’t get across or onto 23, take another route. I also fail to see why the US1 Bypass is any more dangerous for lane crossing than any other road. It’s more likely that the squeaky wheel got the grease. At least now they will be able to take down the silly “mandatory headlight use” signs.
There is already one roundabout on 23-that doesn’t present too many issues. I drive on 23 everyday and I just see too many t-bones at those intersections…
BC, I agree there are a lot of accidents on Rt. 23 at those intersections. I don’t know what the solution is, but when turning left from Grafton Shop going toward Jarrettsville there is a problem with being able to see clearly. My son is about to get his license and will be driving on Rt 23 every Thursday evening to his Young Marine drill. I’ve already told him he has to drive down to Rt. 24 and turn left onto Rt23 at the light near Kleins. Easy for us, as we live in Forest Lakes and it is only a little out of the way.
Is it my imagination, or is there something wrong with that round about on Rt 23. It just feels really awkward to me when I drive through it, and I don’t notice the same problem with any of the other round abouts in the area. Anyone else notice this and know why?