Work Begins on MD 273 at Appleton Road; Construction of Two Additional Roundabouts Begins This Fall

(September 12, 2016) – The first of three new Cecil County roundabouts is under construction as the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) moves to improve safety and efficiency at intersections along MD 273 (Telegraph Road) and MD 281 (Red Hill Road).

In Fair Hill near the Pennsylvania and Delaware state lines, work is underway to convert the MD 273/Appleton Road intersection from flashing red/yellow beacon control to a roundabout.  Construction includes extensive drainage work, grading, paving, concrete channel/splitter islands, lighting and landscaping. The nearly 8,000 motorists traveling this stretch of MD 273 each day should see project completion by spring 2018.  Allan Myers of Fallston is the contractor; construction is valued at $2.1 million.

Allan Myers is also constructing a roundabout at the intersection of MD 281 and Muddy Lane near the Patriots Glen and Washington Woods communities in Elkton.  This will replace the existing unsignalized three-way intersection, improving safety and efficiency for the 6,400 motorists traveling MD 281 each day.  Utility relocations are nearly complete and construction is scheduled to begin this fall with completion by spring 2018.  Construction value is $3.1 million.

Just west of the Appleton Road project, Congressional Contracting of Potomac will replace the existing two-way stop with a roundabout at the MD 273/Blue Ball Road intersection.  Utility relocations are ongoing and construction is scheduled to begin this fall with completion by spring 2018.  This work is valued at $2.4 million.

To ensure the safety of workers and motorists, each intersection will be converted to an all-way stop during construction.  At Appleton Road the existing beacon will be removed and a temporary signal setup to flash red in all directions and reinforce the all-way stop.  For more information on intersection beacons see page 12 of the Maryland Driver’s Manual.  See below for a location map showing all three roundabouts.

SHA currently maintains two roundabouts in Cecil County – MD 273 at MD 276 and MD 213 at Leeds Road/Elk Mills Road.  When used appropriately, roundabouts improve traffic flow through intersections and reduce the incidence and severity of collisions.  More information, including animations, history and a list of all roundabouts in the state, is available at Driving Maryland’s Roundabouts.

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