Caroline Commissioners confirm road improvement projects

DENTON – The Caroline County Commissioners finalized fiscal year 2025-2026 state road improvement requests and discussed current state paving projects during their April 15 meeting in Denton.

In a letter to Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld, the three commissioners detailed five FY2025 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) priorities:

Priority A: Maintain and Improve Existing Infrastructure
The preservation and enhancement of our existing transportation infrastructure is our top priority. Many state-maintained roads throughout Caroline County require immediate attention due to deteriorating surface conditions and insufficient drainage. We request that MDOT and SHA prioritize the following:

• Comprehensive resurfacing of MD 313 from MD 404 to Federalsburg, including repairs to pavement, shoulders, and stormwater infrastructure.
• Completion of the resurfacing project on MD Route 16 from Lake Drive to MD 404
• General resurfacing, shoulder repair, drainage improvement and signage upgrades across Caroline County’s state road network.

Priority B: Widen MD 404 from Harmony Road to MD 16 East
Caroline County continues to prioritize the final phase of the MD 404 dualization. Previous phases have led to improved traffic flow and reduced accidents, demonstrating the importance of completing the corridor. We request that MDOT:

• Begin preliminary planning and design
• Allocate funding for engineering and right-of-way acquisition
• Engage with local stakeholders for project coordination

This segment is essential for ensuring safe and efficient east-west travel across the mid-shore region.

Priority C: Rebuild and Resurface MD 454 (Crownstone Road) – Marydel to Templeville
MD 454 is a vital connector for residents in the western part of the county and serves as a gateway to Queen Anne’s County. This route has seen substantial wear and requires resurfacing and structural upgrades to ensure safe and dependable travel.

Priority D: Rebuild and Resurface MD 313 – Greensboro to Goldsboro
This portion of MD 313 is a major north-south route within the county and is essential for local mobility and emergency response. Resurfacing and drainage improvements are necessary to restore safe travel conditions and extend the life of the corridor.

Priority E: Restripe MD 317 and Right Turn Lane
We propose restriping MD 317 (Burnsville Road) at the intersection of MD 313 to add a right turn lane. This improvement will help enhance traffic flow and improve safety for all drivers.

Current state paving projects
Below is a list from the Maryland Department of Transportation/State Highway Administration (MDOT/SHA) of current priority paving projects and reasons for addressing them:

• MD 16 – paving from Pinetown Road to MD 404. Poor condition/hazardous.
• MD 313 – paving from Possum Hill Road to MD 404. Poor condition/hazardous.
• EB 404 – paving from Legion Road to Watts Creek bridge.
• Blades Farm Road – paving.
• MD 331 – paving from Payne Road to north of Division St. (Preston town limits). Poor condition.
• Double Hills Road – paving. Poor condition.
• MD 328 – pavement markings missing (white lines), Business 404 to Talbot County line. Hazardous.
• MD 314 – paving from MD 313 to Main St., Greensboro.
• MD 314 – paving from MD 313 to Delaware line.
• MD 480 – paving from Maple Ave. to Hannah Henry Way, Ridgely.
• MD 454 – paving from state line to MD 302.
• MD 302 – patching from state line to Queen Anne’s County line.

County Roads
The Caroline County Department of Public Works is alerting motorists of upcoming tar-and-chip operations on its “Caroline County Government” Facebook page.

The department maintains over 450 miles of roadway and 39 bridges or crossings, including routine maintenance, line striping, mowing shoulders, repairing and replacing bridges, installing and maintaining signs and other safety improvements.