Maryland Advances Southern Maryland Transportation Projects, But Major Priorities Remain Unfunded

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland’s new six-year transportation plan advances rapid-transit planning, a La Plata streetscape project and Route 5 improvements in St. Mary’s County, but several of Southern Maryland’s road and bridge priorities remain without construction funding.

The draft fiscal 2027-2032 Consolidated Transportation Program, unveiled Sept. 1, proposes nearly $21.93 billion in capital spending statewide. It will undergo public review before a final plan is submitted with the governor’s budget in January.

One of the largest regional changes is an additional $5.2 million for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit project, a proposed dedicated, 18.7-mile transit route between the Branch Avenue Metro station and Waldorf-White Plains.

The plan contains nearly $15.82 million for continued planning through fiscal 2029, including $5 million from a third congressional grant. However, the draft plan includes no engineering, property acquisition or construction money for the project and lists another $9.68 million as necessary to complete planning.

Charles County identified the project as its highest priority in its annual request to the Maryland Department of Transportation. The county asked MDOT to complete the federal environmental process and secure a record of decision, which would make the project eligible for future federal construction funding.

The draft also moves the MD 6 safety and streetscape project in La Plata into the state’s construction program. The $16.3 million project would add mountable roundabouts and other pedestrian and accessibility improvements between U.S. 301 and Willow Lane. Construction is expected to begin in fiscal 2028.

Compared with the current six-year program, the draft lists a $10 million cost increase resulting from additional design expenses and newly programmed construction funding.

Other Charles County requests remain unfunded in the draft plan, including major changes at the U.S. 301 intersections with MD 228 and MD 5. According to the draft plan, both projects have been inactive for more than five years and will be removed from the final plan’s detailed listings unless funding becomes available.

The county also sought a U.S. 301 pedestrian safety plan, improvements at Smallwood Drive and MD 210, and restoration of a Metrobus connection between Indian Head and the Washington-area Metrorail system.

In Calvert and St. Mary’s counties, the plan includes $1.7 million in fiscal 2027 for engineering work related to the MD 4 corridor and Gov. Thomas Johnson Memorial Bridge. The money will support river-bottom surveys, navigation studies and coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. The funding does not include construction of a wider or replacement bridge.

The larger project would upgrade four miles of MD 4 between MD 2 and MD 235, including a four-lane bridge and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. According to the draft plan, daily traffic is estimated to increase from 30,100 vehicles in 2026 to 39,800 by 2046.

Calvert County again sought planning and design funding in its transportation priority letter. In its own priority letter, St. Mary’s County said continuing to rank the bridge as its top priority “seems unrealistic” after years without progress toward design or construction, but it asked MDOT to continue advancing the project.

St. Mary’s also requested a northbound merge-lane extension along MD 4 from the MD 235 intersection to South Patuxent Beach Road. The county said the smaller project could reduce congestion while remaining compatible with a future bridge replacement. The request did not receive separate funding in the draft plan.

Calvert’s proposed widening of MD 2/4 through Prince Frederick also remains unfunded in the draft plan. The draft transportation plan states that the project has been inactive for more than five years and will be removed from the final plan’s detailed project listings unless funding becomes available.

The state did fund three smaller MD 231 safety projects in Calvert: $14.61 million for improvements at MD 508, $13.86 million for work between Toye Lane and Prince Frederick Boulevard and $6.19 million for improvements at Skipjack Road. The projects are scheduled between fiscal 2027 and 2029.

In St. Mary’s, construction is expected to begin in fiscal 2027 on a $32.27 million MD 5 project in Great Mills. It will replace the bridge over the St. Mary’s River and improve the highway between MD 471 and MD 246.

The plan also includes $13.58 million for drainage and flood-resilience improvements along MD 249, plus continued design work for pedestrian projects on MD 235 and MD 245 and the next phase of the Three Notch Trail.

MDOT will present the draft during public meetings with each county. The Calvert County meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. in the Chesapeake Room of the County Administration Building, 150 Main St. in Prince Frederick. The Charles County meeting will be held Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. in the Charles County Government Building conference room, 200 Baltimore St. in La Plata. The St. Mary’s County meeting is scheduled for Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge St. in Leonardtown. Each meeting will also be livestreamed through the county’s government platforms, according to MDOT’s consultation schedule.

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