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NEWS RELEASE

September 16, 2009

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Ulman and O’Malley Administration Announce Safety Changes to MD Route 32

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley announced today that immediate safety improvements will be made to MD Route 32, north of I-70 in Howard County. Two recent fatal crashes in the area have highlighted the need for immediate action to address the safety concerns of the community.

“I appreciate the O’Malley Administration’s quick response to our concerns,” said Executive Ulman. “While we can’t undo the terrible tragedies that have occurred in the past, the planned improvements will make the road safer and lessen the future risk to drivers on this busy highway.”

“The recent fatalities in two different crashes are terrible tragedies. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those lost,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “SHA met with the community and their biggest concern was related to making left-turns into the communities with fast-moving traffic coming from behind. We are able to make some short-term and longer term modifications that should increase driver awareness and slow traffic, hopefully preventing similar accidents.”

Effective immediately, the State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin implementation of the following measures:

• Install three oversized warning signs facing both the north and southbound traffic on MD Route 32 between MD Route 99 and the Carroll County line; the signs will display this message, “Pay Attention—Watch for Left Turning Traffic”
• Install intersection warning signs (symbol signs showing left turn), with street names for River Road, Amberwoods Way and Day Road
• Install rumble strips in the travel lane (northbound and southbound on MD-Route 32) approximately 500 ft. prior to River Road, Amberwoods Way and Day Road
• Close passing zones and replace with a solid centerline near River Road, Amberwoods Way and Day Road
• Deploy speed trailers to this area; one trailer in each direction, showing oncoming traffic how fast it is traveling

The State Highway Administration (SHA) has also agreed that in fall 2009 they will: