(May 19, 2020) The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin construction this month on a three-year, $29 million project to improve safety and operations for motorists, bicyclist and pedestrians along US 1 (Baltimore Avenue) from College Avenue/Regents Drive to MD 193 (University Boulevard) in College Park. This 1.4-mile project also supports revitalization and traffic relief along this highly traveled stretch of US 1. Construction is scheduled to begin after Memorial Day.

“It’s been a top priority of our administration to keep this critical US 1 improvement project on track for commuters, University of Maryland students and those who live and do business in College Park,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This project will not only produce a safer, more attractive and less congested US 1, but will spur economic development and recovery in one of the region’s most important corridors.”

Planned improvements include:

• widening lanes to provide two lanes in each direction and auxiliary lanes that transition into turn lanes and adding a raised median,
• adding intersection lighting,
• roadway resurfacing and landscaping,
• adding a five-foot wide bicycle lane on each side of US 1,
  improving sidewalks and crosswalk ramps to Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance,
• upgrading drainage and stormwater management facilities and relocating utilities, and
• adding signage and pavement markings.

“We’re bringing an improved US 1 to the thousands who use this corridor to access schools, businesses and recreational facilities every day,” said MDOT SHA Acting Administrator Tim Smith. “This project incorporates MDOT SHA’s innovative Context Driven design elements, such as continental crosswalks and dedicated bicycle lanes, to help enhance safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

This project was first announced in June 2015 as part of the Hogan’s Administration’s $1.97 billion investment in roads and bridges. Carrying more than 38,000 vehicles per day, US 1 is a major north-south artery located in the City of College Park in Prince George’s County and the gateway to the University of Maryland.

“This US 1 improvement project is a tremendous example of what we can accomplish when we bring innovative ideas to the table and work closely with communities, residents, experts and local officials,” said Transportation Secretary Gregory Slater. “When completed and tied together with the Purple Line rail system that will come through the University of Maryland campus, College Park will be a model for Maryland’s vision for safe and efficient multi-modal access and mobility.

The project will be divided into two phases. Phase One includes work in the southern section – from College Avenue to Lakeland Road. Phase Two will take place in the northern section – from Lakeland Road to MD 193. Each phase is expected to last approximately 18 months.

During construction, temporary single- or double-lane closures may be in effect 24/7 on US 1 and on MD 193. Additional lane closures and work times may be needed to expedite work and keep the project on schedule. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project limits. The project was initially projected to take four years to complete, but MDOT SHA worked with local residents, officials and other stakeholders and have trimmed that schedule by a year. Construction is now estimated to be complete by the end of 2023.

To view a online presentation with an overview of the project and its construction schedule, click HERE.

In recent months MDOT SHA crews have prepared for the start of construction by completing work to relocate utilities in the area – an example of the important work accomplished during Maryland’s COVID-19 State of Emergency. This work, aided in part by the lower traffic volumes during the state of emergency, has set the stage for construction to begin in earnest on a project that will create job and economic development opportunities as Maryland emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 the road and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.

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

MDOT SHA has a record amount of highway construction projects underway across the state to reduce congestion and improve safety.  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.