LA PLATA, Md. — During the Board of County Commissioners meeting on April 29, 2025, the commissioners voted to approve Charles County’s annual transportation priority letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Charles County officials presented a comprehensive list of transportation priorities for fiscal year 2026 to send to the MDOT. The list, presented by Jason Groth, director of planning and growth management, outlined a wide range of proposed roadway, pedestrian, and transit improvements.
While this article focuses on new traffic signals and selected safety upgrades, it highlights only a portion of the full priority letter submitted to the MDOT.
The county’s priorities include installing new traffic signals, upgrading intersections, enhancing pedestrian safety, expanding bicycle and pedestrian networks, improving local and commuter transit services, and planning for future roadway and trail connections.
New Traffic Signals
New traffic signals are being requested for two key intersections along the U.S. 301 corridor:
- Glen Albin Road at Crain Highway (U.S. 301): Charles County has requested the installation of a new traffic light at this intersection to better manage growing traffic congestion and improve safety.
- Old Stagecoach Road at Crain Highway (U.S. 301): A new signal for Old Stagecoach Road and U.S. 301 will enhance crossover traffic operations and minimize collision risks.
In addition, one new traffic signal is already moving toward installation:
- Willow Lane and La Plata Parkway at MD 6 (Charles Street): A new signal is scheduled for installation near the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center.
Additional Traffic and Safety Improvements
Along with the new traffic signals, the FY2026 transportation priorities call for several other major projects:
U.S. 301 Corridor Pedestrian Safety Plan
The county is requesting that MDOT develop a plan to enhance pedestrian safety along U.S. 301, including exploring the use of red-light cameras at intersections such as U.S. 301 and MD 6, and U.S. 301 and Shining Willow Way.
Smallwood Drive Intersection Enhancements
Plans call for installing ADA-compliant curb ramps, marked crosswalks, and updated pedestrian signals at U.S. 301 and Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, where pedestrian safety has been a growing concern.
Leonardtown Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Study
Leonardtown Road, recognized in the Local Roadway Safety Plan as part of the High Injury Network, will be the subject of a feasibility study to explore ways to make it safer and more accessible for cyclists and pedestrians.
Hawthorne Road Intersection Review
In La Plata, officials are requesting safety improvements at the Hawthorne Road intersection, including better visibility, adjusted signal timing, and new crosswalks and acceleration and deceleration lanes.
La Plata Area Intersection and Pedestrian Improvements
Additional projects in La Plata include reviewing a crosswalk connection to Tilghman Lake Park from MD 488, assessing safety improvements at the Kings Grant neighborhood entrance, considering a future hiker-biker trail along La Plata Road (MD 488), and upgrading intersections at Glen Albin Road and Rosewick Road along Crain Highway (U.S. 301). These projects aim to enhance walkability, improve neighborhood access, and manage increasing traffic in key community areas.
Hughesville Streetscape Upgrades
Planning and design work is progressing to enhance MD 625 (formerly MD 5 Business) through Hughesville to make it safer and more pedestrian-friendly.
Radio Station Road Sidepath Project (La Plata)
The planned sidepath along Radio Station Road (MD 488) is progressing through final design, supported by MDOT’s Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program.
Collaborative Planning and Next Steps
The county worked closely with MDOT’s modal administrations, the Transportation Planning Board of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, and officials from neighboring jurisdictions to shape its list of priority projects.
The approved transportation priorities will be submitted to MDOT for funding in the upcoming state transportation budget cycles.
For more information, residents can view the full documents online:
The full Board of County Commissioners meeting is available to watch on CCGTV. To view all current Southern Maryland Department of Transportation projects, visit the MDOT Project Portal Hub.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
The BCC should also consider red light cameras at the intersections of Acton Lane and 301 N/S and Middletown Rd @ 228 to point out a couple.
I watch near-misses on a daily basis during my commute.
Quit building
how long from start to finish?
Don’t waste tax payers money set a cop at the intersections not behind a shopping center and watch the pg and dc idiots run red lights every day