​(August 21, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) today opened a $3.1 million project that adds a second left turn lane from eastbound US 50 (Ocean Gateway) to MD 589 (Race Track Road) ​near the Ocean Pines area of Worcester County.

This intersection serves residents, travelers and those who visit Ocean Downs Casino. The new turn lane improves safety by reducing the number of left-turning vehicles stacking into the US 50 main travel lane, and relieves congestion on US 50 by enabling more vehicles to turn onto MD 589 with each traffic signal cycle.      

Aside from the construction of the new US 50 left turn lane, this project includes a new MD 589 travel lane extending nearly a quarter mile from US 50 to the Ocean Downs Lane/McAllister Road intersection. Additional improvements include conversion of the traffic signals at US 50/MD 589 to pole-mounted LED signals containing traffic-detection cameras to aid in traffic flow, new LED lighting, guardrails, and stormwater management facilities.

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David A. Bramble of Chestertown completed construction on this project on-schedule. Landscaping and final cleanup/touchup work may continue for several weeks with minimal traffic impacts expected.

MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving, and look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones. ​

For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to Project Portal. Visit our homepage at roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to md511.maryland.gov.

Editor’s Note

From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders.  MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.