Major Safety and Capacity Improvements Address Howard County’s Top Transportation Priority

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today cut the ribbon on a wider, safer MD 32 in Howard County, marking completion of its transformation from a two-way, undivided road to a four-lane divided highway between MD 108 and I-70. The project, completed by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) in two phases, improves safety and relieves congestion for tens of thousands of residents and commuters who travel the MD 32 corridor every day.

“For eight years, our administration has worked hard to improve the future of Maryland transportation—making it easier to travel from the Eastern Shore to Western Maryland, up and down the I-95 corridor between our nation’s capital to Baltimore, and beyond,” said Governor Hogan. “Delivering this critical MD 32 project is a further testament to that, and it is just one more shining example that together we have changed Maryland for the better.” Watch

Today’s event marked the completion of the project’s second and final phase—a 6.6-mile section of MD 32 between Linden Church Road and I-70. This $127.7 million phase began in summer 2019 and expanded MD 32 from a two-lane highway to a four-lane divided highway separated by a center median and shoulders. Currently, about 23,500 vehicles travel along this section of MD 32 each day, and traffic is projected to increase to an average of 41,000 vehicles per day by 2042.

Other work accomplished as part of this project phase included:

-Replacement of the Triadelphia Road Bridge over MD 32, which had been a poorly rated structure, as part of the administration’s commitment to repair or replace all of the 69 structurally deficient bridges it inherited;
-Construction of the new Terrapin Road, connecting the Vistaview community to MD 144 (Frederick Road); and
-Reforestation projects and construction of bioswales to filter and manage stormwater before it enters the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The first phase of the MD 32 project, which included widening 2.5 miles of MD 32 from MD 108 to Linden Church Road, was announced by Governor Hogan in 2016. Construction on the $40.9 million phase began in summer 2017 and was completed in summer 2019. Howard County contributed $17.4 million toward the cost of the first phase.

The governor was joined for today’s ribbon cutting by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Secretary James F. Ports, Jr. of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), and MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith.

“The widening of MD 32 is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to our terrific workforce and our partnership with Howard County,” said MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr. “Both phases will enhance safety and ease congestion along this very busy commuter route.”

MD 32 is a vital commuter link to civilian and military workers at Maryland’s largest employer, Fort George G. Meade. Prior to the MD 32 project, commuters in Howard and Carroll counties experienced daily traffic congestion as well as safety concerns.

Dividing the highway enhances safety by greatly reducing the possibility of head-on crashes, which are among the most severe. All types of crashes, including rear-end collisions and head-on crashes, have been reduced along the first phase of the project—from 34 overall crashes between 2014 and 2016 to 16 crashes between 2019 and 2021.