Southern Maryland Transportation Needs Assessment

A 20+ year assessment defining the transportation needs for the Southern Maryland Tri-County region of Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties, primarily focusing on regional transit and highway systems; however other modes of transportation will also be evaluated. 

1.  To respond to Maryland Senate Bill 281 and the request by the Southern Maryland delegation for a comprehensive transportation needs assessment.

• Passed in the 2006 legislative session.
• Established a 21-member Commission to Study Southern Maryland Transportation Needs. 
• Required the Tri-County Council to provide technical and staff support to the Commission.
• Required the Commission to study and make recommendations with regard to transportation in Southern Maryland.

2.  To facilitate the Tri-County Council’s update to the 1998 Southern Maryland Regional Strategy:  An Action Plan for Transportation.

3.  To address the substantial changes in the region, including the commuting patterns:

• Population of the Tri-County region has grown by 2.6% per year for the past 25 years, more than double the Maryland growth rate.  The population is expected to continue to grow by 1.5% per year, again more than double the expected Maryland growth rate.
• Though over 85% of St. Mary’s County commuters remain within the Tri-County area for work, roughly half of Charles and Calvert County commuters leave the Southern Maryland region during their daily commutes.
• As the region continues to grow and develop, demand on the transportation infrastructure will increase.  This study will determine where the greatest transportation needs are and identify projects to address those needs.

• Review previous transportation studies.
• Study transit alternatives in the MD 5 Corridor (Branch Avenue to White Plains).  This is a separate 12-18 month study, anticipated completion June 2009.
• Study current and future traffic congestion.
• Make recommendations on potential transportation strategies.
• Study and make recommendations on funding needs.
• Assess barriers to transportation improvements.
• Make recommendations for funding mechanisms to implement traffic congestion reduction strategies in Southern Maryland.

Overall strategic direction provided by a 21-member Commission established by SB 281.

• Commission membership (listed above).
• Chairman:  Delegate Sally Jameson; Vice-Chairman: Delegate John Bohanan.
• The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD) provides oversight through their Regional Infrastructure Advisory Committee (RIAC).
• The TCCSMD RIAC is comprised of State Delegates, County Administrators, Chamber of Commerce representatives, Commanding Officers of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center, County staff, and local citizens.
• Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) provides oversight and coordinates input from the State Highway Administration (SHA), the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA).
• Consultant assistance provided through Cambridge Systematics, Inc., funded by MDOT.

Public Meetings were held in October 2007 and March/April 2008.

• October 2007 Public Meeting Information
• March/April 2008 Public Meeting Information
• Summary from October 2007 and March/April, 2008 Public Meetings
• Tri-County Council’s Web Site

• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary
• Introduction (Chapter 1)
• Goals and Objectives (Chapter 2)
• Existing Conditions (Chapter 3)
• Needs Analysis (Chapter 4)
• Project Evaluation (Chapter 5)
• Funding (Chapter 6)
• Recommendations (Chapter 7)
  
  
• Full Report (10 MB)

• Transmittal Letter to Governor O’Malley
• Transmittal Letter to Senate President Miller and Speaker Busch
• Report to Legislature

White Plains to Branch Avenue Transit Corridor Preservation Study

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has initiated a study to identify a transit corridor for a future high capacity transit system, such as Bus Rapid Transit or Light Rail Transit.  Identification of this corridor will enable local jurisdictions to protect the alignment from development until such time as land use densities and traffic conditions warrant construction of the transit line.   The project was initiated in the Fall of 2007 and is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2009.

Commuter Rail Assessment from Branch Avenue to St. Mary’s County

• Six month assessment to evaluate the feasibility of commuter rail, at the request of Sen. Dyson.
• Commuter rail assessment only – following the Pope’s Creek alignment.
• MTA currently identifying consultant and contract authority needed to complete the study – to be initiated in the spring.

Other Transit Coordination

Planning is underway to construct a permanent 491-space State-owned facility in Dunkirk located north of the Dunkirk Town Center. A public meeting was conducted on September 25, 2007 and conceptual planning/preliminary engineering is underway.

Planning is underway for the Charlotte Hall Park & Ride.  The proposed 500-space lot is located along Golden Beach Road east of the intersection with MD 5. A public open house was conducted on April 15, 2008.

Planning for the New Market Park & Ride is currently on hold. St. Mary’s County Commissioners have decided not to pursue the proposed 500-space park and ride project on approximately 8 acres of County-owned land located on the northeast quadrant of the MD 5/MD 6 intersection.

• After the 2007 MACo Conference, St. Mary’s County Commissioners proposed a new access point.  This access was reviewed by MTA and found not to be feasible.
• On December 18, 2007, the Commissioners agreed to discuss outstanding concerns and get the project underway.   However, they requested yet another access point at this meeting and proposed that MTA provide connection to a County proposed collector road on the east side which required additional analysis.
• MTA completed the analysis and met with County staff in March.  It was agreed at this meeting to keep the MTA proposed access and provide connection to the collector road when the road is built by others in the future.
• Preparations were made to reapply for Conditional Use Permit and appear before the Planning Board in May.  
• Board of Appeals appearance canceled when County informed MTA about the Commissioners decision on April 29, 2008.

MD 4: Thomas Johnson Bridge Project Planning Study

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is conducting the MD 4 Thomas Johnson Bridge Planning Study from the MD 235 intersection in St. Mary’s County to the MD 2/MD 4 split in Calvert County, including the Thomas Johnson Memorial Bridge.  The purpose of the project is to improve existing capacity and traffic operations, and to increase vehicular and pedestrian safety along MD 4 while supporting existing and planned development in the area.  MD 4 provides commuters in the area with access to points north, including the District of Columbia (DC), as well as points south, including the Patuxent Naval Air Station.  MD 4 is also the main evacuation route for residents of Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties during various emergencies.

Currently, the study team is developing preliminary alternatives and environmental impacts in preparation for an Alternates Public Workshop to be held June 16th and 17th.  As the team progresses forward SHA will work towards a Location/Design Public Hearing, Fall 2010 and Location/Design Approval, Winter 2011.

• SHA Website for MD 4: Thomas Johnson Bridge Project Planning Study

US 301 Waldorf Area Transportation Improvement Study

Options are being explored for either an eastern or a western bypass of Waldorf, or an upgrade of existing US 301. The bypass alternatives consider both tolling and non-tolling scenarios. Detailed alternatives are under development and a preferred alternative will be selected in Summer/Fall 2008. This was a break-out project from the US 301 Southern Corridor Transportation Study. It is not funded beyond Project Planning.

• SHA Website for US 301 Waldorf Area Transportation Improvement Study

MD 5 Leonardtown

The State Highway Administration (SHA) is currently studying upgrades to MD 5 in St. Mary’s County, between MD 243 and MD 245 in Leonardtown. The roadway improvements under study will also include upgrades for pedestrians and bicycles. An Alternates Public Meeting will be held in the Spring of 2008. 

Note: Upgrading and widening MD 5 to provide shoulders from south of Camp Brown Road to the Ranger’s Station is on hold.

• SHA MD 5 Leonardtown Website

US 301: Governor Harry W. Nice Bridge Improvement Project

This study, initiated in 2006, is investigating options to improve the Potomac River crossing, including traffic flow on the bridge and on the roadways leading to and from the bridge.  Public workshops have been held to review the alternatives under consideration.  Detailed analysis of the alternatives has been ongoing and a draft environmental document will be available for public review in the Summer of 2008, with a Hearing in the Fall of 2008 and a final selection expected in Summer 2009.

• MdTA website for US 301; Governor Harry W. Nice Bridge Improvement Project

Please contact the Tri-County Council about the Southern Maryland Transportation Needs Assessment Study by using the following:

Web site: Tri County Council's Transportation Web Site

Telephone: 301-274-1922
 
E-mail:  wclark@tccsmd.org