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Thank you, State Highway Administration!

For Improving the Safety and Walkability in the Town of Chesapeake Beach
Posted on: October 23, 2023 - 5:45pm
Safe Crossings

October 24, 2023 (Chesapeake Beach, MD )-The Town of Chesapeake Beach thanks the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Authority (MDOT SHA) for the recent work completed on MD RT 261 and MD RT 260 and for taking feedback from the Town in MDOT SHA's plans to make improvements. The work completed makes our roadways in Town safer for vehicular traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. 

MDOT SHA Roadway improvements include: 

  • Repaving RT260 and RT261
  • Re-striping RT260 and RT261

MDOT SHA Safety improvements include:

  • Safety improvements to the crosswalks, which included updating crosswalks to Continental Style.  Continental style crosswalks have been shown to be more visible to approaching vehicles and improve yielding behavior. Continental crosswalk markings use thick striping oriented parallel to the approach travel lanes to increase the visibility of pedestrian crossings for both pedestrians and motorists. Motorists are warned to expect pedestrian crossings while approaching the intersection and to stop for crossing pedestrians because these pavement markings can be detected sooner than traditional parallel line crosswalk markings.
  • Safety improvements to the curb entrances to reflect current American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. 
  • The addition of new signage on the cross bars to alert drivers to watch for pedestrians. 

The work completed by MDOT SHA is in coordination with the Town of Chesapeake Beach Walkable Community Advisory Group (WCAG) and is consistent with the Town's Master Walkable Community Plan, which highlights recommendations to make roadways safer for pedestrians. Town Council Vice President Charlie Fink and Town Councilwoman Peggy Hartman expressed sincere appreciation to the MDOT SHA team for coordinating with the Town's WCAG by hearing their concerns and for incorporating their requests into the safety improvements completed. "We are aware there are many, many miles of roads maintained in the State by MDOT SHA; therefore we are truly grateful for the attention paid to the Town of Chesapeake Beach to improve pedestrian safety, the condition of our main roads and our main exit routes in case of need", stated Councilwoman Peggy Hartman. 

Safe Routes to School

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