Project Vitally Important for The Regional Transportation Needs of Southern Maryland

(February 14, 2018) – Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin utility relocation and grading work in advance of a critical $12 million improvement project at the MD 5 (Point Lookout Road)/Abell Street/Moakley Street intersection in St. Mary’s County.

The work is expected to begin in March and will continue through summer. Beginning in mid-fall, the MDOT SHA will add left turn lanes to both directions of MD 5 at the intersection.

Beginning in late Spring 2019, MDOT SHA will begin widening the road, an effort which will increase vehicular and pedestrian safety. 

“This project will break congestion and greatly improve safety at this busy Leonardtown intersection,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Greg Slater. “This area is growing, and it is essential to maintain safe access and transit to nearby schools and businesses.”

MDOT SHA will perform this advanced work at night with single and double lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday nights through Friday mornings. 

MDOT SHA recognizes the key role MD 5 plays not only to the citizens of Leonardtown and St. Mary’s County, but to all southern Maryland.  MD 5 is a major thoroughfare to the Washington D.C metropolitan area.  Approximately 26,000 vehicles travel the corridor each day, a number that is projected to reach 32,000 by 2035.

Widening this intersection allows for more access to satellite colleges for the College of Southern Maryland and the University of Maryland, as well as St. Mary’s Hospital and many other local businesses. Customers who have questions about traffic operations along MD 5, or other State numbered routes in St. Mary’s County may call MDOT SHA’s District 5 Office at 410-841-1000 or 410-841-5450.

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.