Additional Westbound Lane to Improve Traffic Flow at the MD 177/Woods Road Intersection

(July 12, 2016) – Standing adjacent to busy traffic in Pasadena, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) and Anne Arundel County officials broke ground on construction improvements on MD 177 (Mountain Road) at the Woods Road intersection.  Anne Arundel County Executive Steven Schuh, Delegate Nicholaus Kipke and other area officials highlighted the State and County partnership to move the $3.4 million project forward.

This summer and fall, crews will widen the intersection from three lanes to four lanes on Mountain Road at Woods Road. Once complete, drivers will have two westbound lanes, and will not have to wait for vehicles turning left onto Woods Road.

“This new westbound lane on MD 177 will help ensure a smoother commute for our Lake Shore residents,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steven Schuh.  “This project is another example of the powerful Mountain Road partnership between the county and the state.”

Anne Arundel County funded the majority of the project, contributing $2.5 million for right-of-way purchase, utility work and construction.  The SHA will manage and inspect the project.

"While there's no perfect fix to the traffic problems along Mountain Road, this is a critical project that will dramatically improve safety and enhance the quality of life for everyone who travels to and from Lake Shore," said Delegate Kipke.

MD 177 is a commuter route linking the Lake Shore and Pasadena communities to MD 100 (Paul T. Pitcher Highway) – a major east west route serving central Anne Arundel County.  A reversible lane system, installed in the late 1990s, is used to during morning and evening peak times for the highest directional traffic flow.  Constructing the westbound bypass lane will improve safety by separating turning vehicles from through traffic, allowing area residents to reach their homes without sitting in traffic delays.

“We appreciate drivers’ patience during construction of the much-needed bypass lane, which will improve safety by eliminating the backups on Mountain Road behind left-turning vehicles,” said SHA District 5 Engineer Tim Smith, P.E. “This project will also reduce daily congestion for the nearly 27,000 commuters who travel through the intersection each day.”

The project also includes widening, resurfacing at the intersection and drainage improvements.

Construction will be complete late December, weather permitting.  SHA’s contractor is Locust Lane Farms, LLC of Upper Marlboro.