The Calvert County Commissioners voted unanimously at their May 21 meeting to add a segment of Route 261 to their list of transportation priorities. The road segment is in North Beach, approximately 400 feet north of 9th Street to the Anne Arundel County line.
In a joint memorandum from the departments of Community Planning and Building and Public Works, a synopsis of the needed work is given. The project aim is to raise approximately 800 feet of the road to 3.5 feet above its present level, to a level above the floodplain. County government staff stated the project is needed to “prevent coastal and stormwater flooding, which cuts off Southern Anne Arundel County communities from North Beach and Chesapeake Beach. This project is critical for health, safety and welfare of South Anne Arundel County residents but also for the towns of North Beach and Chesapeake Beach and their residents, along with commercial traffic that uses this route.”
“It’s a safety issue,” said principal planner Patricia Haddon, who pointed out that the severe flooding of the roadway creates an “inability” for emergency responders trying to reach homes in the communities of Rose Haven and Holland Point.
The county sends the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) a list of transportation priorities on a yearly basis. The Route 261 project would be added to the current list, which is headed by a replacement for the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge and widening of Route 2/4 between the southern end of Route 765 at Industry Lane and Auto Drive in Prince Frederick. This is the second phase of a four-phase improvement plan.
The additional project will be included in a letter county government staff will write and send to the MDOT acting secretary.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
