Crews must close eastbound MD 16 to ensure safe work zone

CAMBRIDGE — As part of the ongoing construction of a new roundabout at MD 16 (Church Creek Road) and Woods Road in Cambridge, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) temporarily closed eastbound MD 16 March 20. SHA will also close Woods Road just south of MD 16. Westbound MD 16 will not be impacted. This temporary traffic pattern is necessary to provide a safe buffer for workers and drivers as SHA begins the second phase of roundabout construction.

Drivers should follow the signed detour:

• MD 16 eastbound motorists will take MD 341 (Race Street) north to MD 343 (Washington Street) east to US 50 (Ocean Gateway) east to MD 16.

• Motorists will access Woods Road south of MD 16 using Stone Boundary Road and Southside Avenue.

Additionally, crews will open Woods Road north of MD 16 to traffic in conjunction with these changes. This leg of the intersection was closed last fall for the first phase of the $4.1 million roundabout project.

In addition to the roundabout, SHA is installing a shared-use pedestrian and bicycle path, relocating utilities, improving drainage and upgrading lighting with LED systems. This project will be completed by late summer, weather permitting.

“Roundabouts not only improve safety by slowing and calming traffic, they also keep traffic moving, which reduces congestion,” said SHA District 1 Engineer Donnie Drewer. “It will only take drivers one or two times through to become comfortable with the new roundabout.”

SHA awarded the construction contract to JJID of Bear, Del. An average of 4,800 vehicles travel this stretch of MD 16 each day.

Roundabouts dramatically reduce the incidence and severity of crashes because vehicles enter the intersection at low speeds, minimizing the risk of right-angle crashes. Roundabouts also improve intersection efficiency by keeping all traffic moving. For more information visit Traveling Maryland’s Roundabouts.

While 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.