Crosswalks, Pedestrian Crossing Signals Part of Improvements

(July 2, 2018) – In early July, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin improvements for pedestrian safety and access at key locations on US 301 (Crain Highway) in Brandywine. The $118,000 pedestrian crossing project will be complete mid-fall and will help “calm traffic” and reduce excessive speeding through the corridor.

MDOT SHA is installing pedestrian crossing signals and crosswalks at the US 301/Chadds Ford Drive/Timothy Branch Drive intersection and at the US 301/Clymer Drive/Matapeake Business Drive intersection. The signals will display the amount of time remaining to cross the roadways to pedestrians and “count down” to zero and the warning not to cross, along with audible instructions for reinforcement and visually impaired people. These improvements will connect pedestrians from large residential areas to shopping and entertainment in the heart of Brandywine. In addition to the pedestrian crossing signals, crews will install crosswalks at these locations. Maryland law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.

“MDOT SHA has worked closely with community leaders and stakeholders and we appreciate their support,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater. “Approximately one-fourth of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians. Improvements like these, combined with reduced vehicle speeds and attentiveness by all roadway users, will help prevent collisions.”

Motorists can expect periodic single and double lane closures during the project. MDOT SHA’s contractor, Rommel Engineering and Construction, Inc. of Linthicum, is permitted to work Sunday nights through Friday mornings between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. and will use cones and arrow boards to guide motorists through the work zone. Approximately 97,000 vehicles use this section of US 301 each day, so motorists should leave extra commuting time during work hours.

While MDOT SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands. For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA's electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto www.md511.org.