As has been noted elsewhere, Governor Hogan recently determined that widening MD 404 from US 50 to the Denton Bypass was an important highway project deserving of state funds. Others have derided this as being merely a road for people to get to out of state beaches. However, the fact that this old 2 lane road is the most hazardous in the state (according to a state official with a large hat who wished to discuss my rate of travel along this road a few months back) means I don't really care WHO uses it-it's in MD and nobody else is going to make it safer. Many of those who drive along it, especially between Memorial Day and Labor Day, are the type who left their brains on the other side of the WPL Mem Bridge, and who never learned how to pass safely, or the meaning of striped vs solid lane markings.
The Denton Bypass was the first 4 lane section, constructed in the early 1980's, and was extended a few miles eastward across Watts Creek and past the MD 16 intersection within the past 5 years. Currently a project is underway to widen the intersection with MD 309 and across Tuckahoe Creek (scheduled for completion in summer of 2017); this is listed as Project 1B. Just east of this, Phase 1A dualized about a mile around the MD 480 intersection-completed in 2012. (A few years ago, turn lanes were added at the MD 313 intersection-this appeared to be an SHA maintenance project, because I never saw anything other than SHA equipment working here. This stretch is NOT part of the new initiative.) Otherwise, this road is basically the same as when it was first built in the 50's, and for many drivers it is their only experience at driving on an extremely congested 2 lane road.
Based on how far most of the utility poles are from the current roadbed, my guess is the SHA already owns a substantial portion of the RoW.
SHA website has long listed this project, cut into phases. Phases 2A and 2B are in the design phase; these involve no signalized intersections or significant waterways, but sediment control and runoff issues nonetheless. The map I just found (linked from http://apps.roads.maryland.gov/WebProjectLifeCycle/ProjectPhotos.aspx?projectno=AW896215) indicates that Phase 2B includes a section just west of MD 309, but work here is underway with the bridge project, so I don't completely trust the map. On Monday, I did see some surveyors working just west of the 309 project, so perhaps that is truly Phase 2B. Some of the wording on the website mentions a Phase 5, but it's not on the map.
In addition to needing more funds to address problems with the state's highways, SHA also needs a webmaster. The number of links for this ongoing project that lead to "no information available at this time" or similar is not terribly helpful. A few months ago, the SHA contact on the website did send me a nice PDF showing the work at the bridge, but this document doesn't come up when you click on the "maps" link for this project, so I feel pretty special to have a copy.
SHA website also includes plans to 6-lane US 50 from US 301 southward, but nobody seems to be pushing it. It's unfortunate that they will widen 404, but not be able to grade separate the 50/404 intersection. But I guess since there will be a nice bottleneck wherever the 4 lane portion ends, there's no point in enabling more traffic to get ON this stretch of road to begin with.
Construction to start Spring 2017.
I thought that the long-term plans for U.S. 50 involved grade-separated interchanges at Md. 213 and at Md. 404?
And possibly full access control from Queenstown to Md. 404?
Looooonnnng term, yes. Work on 50 is not part of Hogan's recently announced plan. WB 50 over 301 was rebuilt recently and is still 2 lanes with no shoulder.
50 planned to pass over 404 with a diamond interchange IIRC. Still need to make a left onto 404, but signal would favor that movement.
Seems like the problem at 50-404 could be solved with a single flyover, something like what was done where US 17 leaves its concurrency with US 15-29 south of Warrenton, Va.
QuoteSeems like the problem at 50-404 could be solved with a single flyover, something like what was done where US 17 leaves its concurrency with US 15-29 south of Warrenton, Va.
Not completely. WB 404 to WB 50 is also a major maneuver. And there is some turning traffic in other directions here.
IMO, a 50/404 interchange should have been the higher priority. Would have also eliminated the arguments that the 404 widening "benefits Delaware more than Maryland"...
Quote from: hbelkins on September 01, 2015, 09:16:59 PM
Seems like the problem at 50-404 could be solved with a single flyover, something like what was done where US 17 leaves its concurrency with US 15-29 south of Warrenton, Va.
Actually I like that idea. WB to WB movement can happen more or less as it does now-it's just a right turn with a yield sign-and leave the rest of the movements alone. The Omar, VA loop ramp isn't what came to mind when I read "flyover", but it could work in this location. I guess it depends on whether we're using hovercraft or US50 towards Easton/St. Michaels gets converted to limited access first.
If I was handing out the dollars for highway improvements, I would want a diamond interchange, with a flyover for the 50 EB to 404 EB movement, and the ramp from WB 404 to WB 50 to be gentle and at leas two lanes wide.
The Queen Anne's County pages in the SHA part of the draft 2015 Consolidated Transportation Program (http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office_of_Planning_and_Capital_Programming/CTP/CTP_15_20/SHA_2015_Draft.html) (CTP) has a D&E Program entry for making improvements to U.S. 50 between U.S. 301 and Md. 404, but it is shown as being "on hold." Probably because of a lack of funding.
Had a girlfriend that lived in Bridgeville, DE. Too bad we broke up; I would have been all for it. :D
Quote from: cpzilliacus on September 01, 2015, 10:50:50 PM
The Queen Anne's County pages in the SHA part of the draft 2015 Consolidated Transportation Program (http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office_of_Planning_and_Capital_Programming/CTP/CTP_15_20/SHA_2015_Draft.html) (CTP) has a D&E Program entry for making improvements to U.S. 50 between U.S. 301 and Md. 404, but it is shown as being "on hold." Probably because of a lack of funding.
Good link. mdot.md.gov should lend their webmaster to apps.roads.md.gov for an afternoon.
I'm all for building an interchange at US 50 and MD 404, in addition to widening the latter and making the former a freeway to where MD 90 splits off near Ocean City, with bypasses where needed (around Easton and Cambridge).
Quote from: Henry on September 02, 2015, 11:17:14 AM
I'm all for building an interchange at US 50 and MD 404, in addition to widening the latter and making the former a freeway to where MD 90 splits off near Ocean City, with bypasses where needed (around Easton and Cambridge).
Making that drive this weekend... and it would be nice. But it ain't gonna happen.
Quote from: Henry on September 02, 2015, 11:17:14 AM
I'm all for building an interchange at US 50 and MD 404, in addition to widening the latter and making the former a freeway to where MD 90 splits off near Ocean City, with bypasses where needed (around Easton and Cambridge).
I'm all for that, but this isn't fictional highways...
Easton wouldn't really need a bypass...MD 322 could theoretically be converted into a narrow 4-lane freeway with minimal ROW acquisition (though it'd be expensive). But you can pretty much forget a Cambridge bypass. Would require a huge new bridge (likely a mile long if not longer) over the Choptank River plus several other smaller bridges over inlets and wetlands.
Quote from: froggie on September 03, 2015, 09:43:44 AM
Easton wouldn't really need a bypass...MD 322 could theoretically be converted into a narrow 4-lane freeway with minimal ROW acquisition (though it'd be expensive).
As long as I can remember, there have been a lot of businesses fronting on U.S. 50 in Easton. But I doubt that the big money in Talbot County (compare and contrast with the big money in Fauquier County, Virginia) would like the idea of a Md. 332 bypass at all, even though there is no Talbot Environmental Council at this point in time.
Quote from: froggie on September 03, 2015, 09:43:44 AM
But you can pretty much forget a Cambridge bypass. Would require a huge new bridge (likely a mile long if not longer) over the Choptank River plus several other smaller bridges over inlets and wetlands.
Prior to the 1980's, the congestion to cross the two lane draw span over the Choptank River at Cambridge could be epic during the summer months. But that bridge, and the one at Vienna were replaced (and Vienna was bypassed entirely), making for a much easier ride to and from Ocean City.
Why would you want to bypass Cambridge? Has one of the cheapest gas stations in the region. :D
Quote from: Rothman on September 03, 2015, 01:55:40 PM
Why would you want to bypass Cambridge? Has one of the cheapest gas stations in the region. :D
Trappe used to have a gas station called "Lowest Price" (It looked like it was remodeled into something else last month). I remember at least once noting that it didn't, in fact, have the lowest price on US-50 in Delmarva.
Not that anything of the sort will/would ever get built, but something limited-access more closely following (and maybe utilizing) the 404 corridor into Delaware, then something built as a N/S corridor (near 113?) would probably be the way to go for a limited-access solution to the beach areas, as opposed to the US-50 corridor - mostly due to the Cambridge issue listed above.
Quote from: davewiecking on September 02, 2015, 05:54:41 PM
Quote from: Henry on September 02, 2015, 11:17:14 AM
I'm all for building an interchange at US 50 and MD 404, in addition to widening the latter and making the former a freeway to where MD 90 splits off near Ocean City, with bypasses where needed (around Easton and Cambridge).
I'm all for that, but this isn't fictional highways...
Which is why I started https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=16372.0 .
ixnay
Quote from: cpzilliacus on September 03, 2015, 10:08:50 AM
Quote from: froggie on September 03, 2015, 09:43:44 AM
Easton wouldn't really need a bypass...MD 322 could theoretically be converted into a narrow 4-lane freeway with minimal ROW acquisition (though it'd be expensive).
As long as I can remember, there have been a lot of businesses fronting on U.S. 50 in Easton. But I doubt that the big money in Talbot County (compare and contrast with the big money in Fauquier County, Virginia) would like the idea of a Md. 332 bypass at all, even though there is no Talbot Environmental Council at this point in time.
Quote from: froggie on September 03, 2015, 09:43:44 AM
But you can pretty much forget a Cambridge bypass. Would require a huge new bridge (likely a mile long if not longer) over the Choptank River plus several other smaller bridges over inlets and wetlands.
Prior to the 1980's, the congestion to cross the two lane draw span over the Choptank River at Cambridge could be epic during the summer months. But that bridge, and the one at Vienna were replaced (and Vienna was bypassed entirely), making for a much easier ride to and from Ocean City.
I know what that was like.
ixnay
I distinctly remember a horrible backup thru Vienna for the 2-lane drawbridge over the Nanticoke in the mid-late 80's on the way to the beach,.
It was those trouble spots that led to my family using MD-404/US-113 for a handful of years instead.
2 photos taken last Friday. Eastbound approach to the new bridge is in place, but nothing yet on the westbound approach. Funny thing is a client emailed me this morning that he'd seen me taking the second photo...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2Ftraffic%2F150918-404_1.jpg&hash=481b4a822e993f91a72872bc7e32d0f72dad60e0)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2Ftraffic%2F150918-404_2.jpg&hash=bfd4fefdd2cea13b8ecfcd968a77ea75045aab89)
State Announces Route 404 Dualization Project Completion Date (http://www.wboc.com/story/30221039/state-announces-route-404-dualization-completion-date)
11 miles from US 50 to Denton to be dualized by fall 2017. Some portions already are, and one section is in progress. Surveyors have been spotted in the woods and fields adjacent the 2 lane stretches the last month or so.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on September 04, 2015, 03:33:01 PM
I distinctly remember a horrible backup thru Vienna for the 2-lane drawbridge over the Nanticoke in the mid-late 80's on the way to the beach,.
It was those trouble spots that led to my family using MD-404/US-113 for a handful of years instead.
That bottleneck gave alternate meaning to Billy Joel's lyric line, "When will you realize Vienna waits for you".
ixnay
NEW MD 404 BRIDGE OPENS TO TRAFFIC
http://www.marylandroads.com/pages/release.aspx?newsId=2412
QuoteSHA's contractor will begin construction of a new westbound span this winter.
Quote from: BrianP on November 23, 2015, 04:24:20 PM
NEW MD 404 BRIDGE OPENS TO TRAFFIC
http://www.marylandroads.com/pages/release.aspx?newsId=2412
QuoteSHA's contractor will begin construction of a new westbound span this winter.
And a mighty smooth ride it is, although the western transition is a bit bumpy. But it's a temporary construction crossover...
Seem to have started this thread, then let it lay dormant for exactly 2 years. The fact that I stopped driving this corridor on a regular basis a big reason, and none of the photos are all that great. But here are a few anyway...
First three taken June 2, 2017. This shows the bridge over Norwich Creek (just east of MD309)-the biggest structure on the project:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2FAAroads%2F170602-Bridge.jpg&hash=fe5712ae2c80626cde668dab928f0ac5cdaa309e)
This photo of a box culvert shows how much higher the new (westbound) lanes are than the original (now eastbound) lanes. Photo taken on the western portion of the just-completed widening (between MD309 and Denton):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2FAAroads%2F170602-BoxCulvert.jpg&hash=3ac30f1e24275e50c4f155aa9f759856338c476d)
And a shot of the built-up earthwork to get the new lanes out of the swamp; taken slightly east of the second photo:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2FAAroads%2F170602-NewLanes.jpg&hash=c6b8429542783794ca298fd012d874de3726e266)
Driving this corridor on August 31, traffic was stopped in both directions for 10 minutes so that workers could adjust the temporary road stripe at a small intersection (I think it was Fox Meadow Rd). Both directions of traffic were traveling on the new roadway at this point:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2FAAroads%2F170831-FixingStripe.jpg&hash=9a7a5efb5329bc46f0242709ce3c83d53d869071)
And lastly a photo taken earlier this month (Nov 11), showing the bridge from photo 1 above:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2FAAroads%2F171111-AlmostDone.jpg&hash=234acb2f4022ea7cbff315ab861c0d00f06593a3)
As Beltway, froggie and RoadPelican have posted in the main MD thread, neither MD nor DE have any serious plans to widen the portion between Denton, MD and Georgetown, DE. MD's plans for widening/interchanging US 50 (US-301 to MD-404) have been on planning books for decades, but has never been funded. DE is more interested in moving people north-south within the state, with much less attention being paid to east-west traffic. The upcoming interchange at DE-404/US-113 will help some, as long as the US-113/US-9 intersection gets interchanged first.
The plans for a diamond interchange at the intersection of US-50 and MD-404 have been online for quite some time. I can't find the email, but sometime in 2015 I asked an SHA engineer if he thought the diamond interchange (traffic light for left turn at the base of the ramp) would be adequate for the traffic volume from EB US-50 to EB MD-404. He stated that the light would be set to favor the left turning traffic and their studies showed that would be sufficient.
Meanwhile, 2 lanes of 404 Sunday summer traffic all trying to nose into the one right turn lane onto WB 50 will be problematic.
I agree about the potential lineup on WB 404 to turn onto WB 50. The sooner an interchange at 50 and 404 can be made shovel ready through funding, design, and land procurement, the better.
I'm sure I'm not alone when I think sometimes about cost overruns for public works. Was the 404 dualization done on budget? Of course it wasn't on a par in scope with the Big Dig.
ixnay
I poked around for an answer to your question last November, but didn't find much of anything. I believe most of the land was already owned by the state; pre-project most of the utility poles were well back of the roadway. The project was divided among 3 contractors, and it was (mostly) finished by the originally established deadline. The old lanes, now the EB lanes, do still need a final layer of asphalt.
For some reason, I just remembered I'd taken the below photo of a nice new green on white Business 404 sign...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2FAAroads%2F171210-404BusinessSign.jpg&hash=33a2d569b94250d2cabf34297ad21c8943dab6ab)
Quote from: davewiecking on March 21, 2018, 11:42:21 PM
For some reason, I just remembered I'd taken the below photo of a nice new green on white Business 404 sign...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawnet.com%2FAAroads%2F171210-404BusinessSign.jpg&hash=33a2d569b94250d2cabf34297ad21c8943dab6ab)
There was a similar BUSINESS MD-3 sign on I-97 northbound north of Benfield Boulevard. It went away after a few months for reasons not clear to me.
The green on white seems to be standard for Maryland. Every business route I can think of (US or state) has that color scheme.
As far as 404, I was on the dualized section in January when I got Caroline County. Even in the winter, the passing lane was warranted.
http://www.myeasternshoremd.com/qa/spotlight/md-improvement-project-wins-america-s-transportation-award/article_122a20f2-00ea-5a7f-a0d1-860b608ab33d.html
QuoteQUEEN ANNE – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration's MD 404 highway widening project, featuring an innovative partnership with industry partners and completed on-time and budget in only 18 months, has been recognized with an America's Transportation Award.
Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Socrata, AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the 11th annual America's Transportation Awards competition selected the $158 million MD 404 (Shore Highway) project as the best in the northeastern states in the Quality of Life/ Community Development Category for medium projects (costing between $25 million to $200 million). The award lauds MD 404 project's safety enhancements for residents and seasonal motorists, as well as overall improved operations and congestion relief.
MD 404 carries 18,000 vehicles per day, a number that increases by 25 percent in the summer. Historically, MD 404 also posted vehicle collision rates higher than the state average, with 402 crashes and 12 fatalities between 2005 and 2014. To improve safety on a roughly 10-mile stretch of MD 404, this $158 million project took a two-lane road and widened it to a four-lane divided highway, with a 34-foot median and 10-foot-wide shoulders.
"State DOTs are committed to making America safer, better and stronger by improving connections between communities both large and small, urban and rural," said John Schroer, president of AASHTO and commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. "The transportation projects in this competition are part of a national multimodal network that is moving millions of people and tons of goods where they need to go every day."
Answering Governor Hogan's landmark challenge to improve safety, reduce congestion, and improve MD 404 across three counties by Thanksgiving 2017, MDOT SHA opened the four-lane divided highway with median and shoulders as promised. The 11.3 mile dualized MD 404 provides a direct route between US 50 and the Town of Denton, enhancing safety and operations for residents and reducing traffic congestion caused by high season peaks associated with summer resort traffic.
With extensive outreach to the community, construction began in summer 2016 with an expedited design-build contract and innovative partnership with industry partners – shortening the standard construction timetable by 18 months.
In the end, the MD 404 project made the road safer for all drivers, especially providing more peace of mind during the busier summer months, the award statement said.
"The American's Transportation Award for MD 404 is a testament to the dedication, determination and ingenuity of the project team, who exemplify MDOT SHA's commitment to bring transformative change and a positive customer experience to all Maryland travelers," said MDOT SHA Administrator Greg Slater. "At MDOT SHA, we are becoming a national leader in transportation by challenging the status quo, embracing innovation and modernization, and delivering real, lasting results."
The America's Transportation Award competition will continue throughout the summer. MD 404 could be included as a "Top 12" finalist, which will compete for the Grand Prize, selected by an independent panel of industry judges, and the Socrata People's Choice Award, chosen by the public through online voting. The top two winners also receive $10,000 cash awards, to be donated to a charity or scholarship of the state DOT's choosing. Online voting begins Aug. 30. The winners of the top two awards will be announced Sept. 23, at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Atlanta.
Got to finally drive across the newly widened MD-404 on my family's trip to Bethany Beach recently. What an improvement! So happy this project is done, as it will make going to the beach far more enjoyable and more importantly safer. Further widening to the Delaware State line may be needed eventually, but at least the worst part(US-50 to Denton) is now a thing of the past.
Quote from: Jmiles32 on July 18, 2018, 05:13:50 PM
http://www.myeasternshoremd.com/qa/spotlight/md-improvement-project-wins-america-s-transportation-award/article_122a20f2-00ea-5a7f-a0d1-860b608ab33d.html
Quote
MD 404 carries 18,000 vehicles per day, a number that increases by 25 percent in the summer. Historically, MD 404 also posted vehicle collision rates higher than the state average, with 402 crashes and 12 fatalities between 2005 and 2014. To improve safety on a roughly 10-mile stretch of MD 404, this $158 million project took a two-lane road and widened it to a four-lane divided highway, with a 34-foot median and 10-foot-wide shoulders.
I have driven it several times, and it is a great improvement. It has nonlimited-access right-of-way, but the level of access management and the J-cut turns provides an expressway-like experience.
My only negative comment would be the median width, given the amount of right-of-way bought in the 1960s when the relocated 2-lane highway was built, there was space provided for 4 lanes and a median at least 60 feet wide. A 34-foot median necessitates a guardrail median barrier and the dualized highway has that.
However the dualized side has very wide ditches that seem to be stormwater management basins as well, and given the fairly level topography, that may be needed to provide proper drainage for the whole highway. So it appears that they used all of the future right-of-way on that side for the new roadway and the stormwater management basins.
Quote from: Beltway on July 18, 2018, 10:54:16 PM
However the dualized side has very wide ditches that seem to be stormwater management basins as well, and given the fairly level topography, that may be needed to provide proper drainage for the whole highway. So it appears that they used all of the future right-of-way on that side for the new roadway and the stormwater management basins.
They were still working on the roadsides last time I drove it in May. I drove it today and all work looks complete.
Google Maps now has it on satellite view, and the unusual series of storm water basins is visible. Very interesting, have not seen this design before.
Check it out -- https://tinyurl.com/ybj2onpj
I also drove the MD-404 route from MD-16 to Delaware. Speed limit is 55, higher than most Maryland 2-lane highways. Good highway that looks usable for a dualization project. Some places may have 4-lane right-of-way based on where the utility poles are.
Looks like a parallel roadway could be built on the north side without any buildings needing to be acquired. If they build the large storm water basins like on the previous project, that is another matter, they may need considerably more right-of-way width. Another reason why they built those basins may have been to capture the large amount of runoff from fertilizers and chemicals utilized on the large farms that are adjacent to the highway in many places between US-50 and Delaware.