Safety Project Delivers Worcester County’s #1 Transportation Priority

NEWARK, MD –Governor Larry Hogan today announced plans for the final two phases that will complete the US 113 widening to a four-lane divided highway for the entire 38-mile stretch in Maryland from Pocomoke City to Delaware. The $136.8 million investment in US 113 projects will address the county’s top transportation priority, improve safety, and reduce traffic congestion for local and seasonal drivers.

“This roadway has a long history of neglect and deteriorating safety conditions,” said Governor Hogan. “Completion of this project will make improvements that are critical to reduce traffic and help ensure the safety of people headed to work and the thousands of tourists and vacationers who visit this area every year.”

Widening US 113 from a two-lane undivided highway to a four-lane divided highway along this major north-south route in Worcester County is being constructed in phases. The 4.6-mile, $50.4 million Phase Three project that widens the roadway from Massey Branch to Five Mile Branch Road is under construction now and is about 25 percent complete. The $86.4 million Phase Four project to complete improvements for 4.3 miles from north of MD 365 to Five Mile Lane will be advertised next month and go to construction in spring 2017. Today, 13,100 drivers travel US 113 daily during the summer. By 2035, that number will increase to 27,350 in the summer. Once the final phases of widening are completed by spring 2019, these drivers will enjoy a safer, more efficient ride throughout the entire corridor.  

The funding for the $86.4 million project to build the final US 113 phase is part the $1.97 billion investment in highway and bridge improvements Governor Hogan announced last June. Today’s announcement demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to safety and infrastructure improvements in every jurisdiction in the state and is just part of $173.3 million in transportation investments in Worcester County over six years, including: $169 million for highways; $3.7 million for Shore Transit; $149,275 in grants for highway safety and other programs, and $371,600 in aviation grants for Ocean City Municipal Airport.