Restrictions at MD 304 Intersection and Park and Ride Closure Begin March 1
(February 24, 2016) – With a critical stream relocation under and along US 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) nearly complete, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin constructing the first of two roundabouts on MD 304 (Ruthsburg Road) as part of the US 301/MD 304 interchange project in Queen Anne’s County.
On March 1, SHA will close:
• MD 304 just west of US 301. There will be no direct access from eastbound MD 304 to US 301 or from US 301 to westbound MD 304. See detours below.
• The MD 304 Park & Ride lot at Tidewater Drive – new lot to open in 2017 (other options-US 50/301 at: MD 300; MD 302; MD 404; Castle Marina Road; MD 8)
• Tidewater Drive at MD 304.
The closures will remain in place throughout this construction phase, expected to continue through early 2017. Crews will post detour signs and SHA will provide temporary access (local traffic only) to Tidewater Drive from southbound US 301.
(Image courtesy of Google Maps - MD 304 west end closure.)
The MD 304 detours are as follows:
• US 301 southbound to MD 304 westbound - continue past MD 304, turn right onto Rolling Bridge Road to MD 304.
• US 301 northbound to MD 304 westbound – turn left on Rolling Bridge Road, continue to MD 304.
• MD 304 eastbound to US 301 northbound and MD 304 eastbound, east of US 301 – take MD 304 west to MD 213 (North Commerce Street) north to MD 305 (Hope Road) east to US 301 south. US 301 northbound drivers will then use the J-turn to proceed north, while MD 304 eastbound drivers will continue south on US 301 and turn left on MD 304.
• MD 304 westbound, east of US 301 to MD 304 westbound, west of US 301 – proceed north on US 301, use the J-turn and travel south on US 301, turn right on Rolling Bridge Road to MD 304.
“The relocation of Millstream Branch, a Corsica River tributary, has gone well, the project is right on schedule,” said SHA District 2 Engineer Greg Holsey, adding, “as construction of the MD 304 roundabouts gets underway the project will really start to take shape.”
The MD 304/US 301 interchange project will improve safety and traffic flow by converting the existing at-grade intersection to a grade-separated interchange with roundabouts. SHA awarded a $30.3 million construction contract to David A. Bramble of Chestertown. Completion is scheduled for early 2019. More than 20,000 vehicles travel this stretch of US 301 each day and over 5,000 vehicles travel MD 304 – a key route serving Centreville, the Queen Anne’s County seat.
# # #