Muddy Creek Intersection Completion Date Pushed to Fall 2013

If ever there was an intersection that needed a bit of luck thrown its way, it would have to be the intersection of MD 214/Central Avenue and MD 468/Muddy Creek Road. The project was approved back in 2001. It was designed in 2002. It was funded in 2010 and construction began in fall of that year.  Progress has been bumpy. Work on the project slowed because of a needed redesign, then weather issues, then substrate complications and even a fight with utility companies over the placement of utility pole(s).

For those who live on the peninsula and are anxious for the completion—sometimes it even looks like there’s a whole lotta nothing going on. But there is something going on.

Now we are at the point in the story where I warn readers that there is good news, and there is bad news.

First, the good news is that they are still plugging along on the upgrades and the intersection will eventually be completed, easing traffic flow in all directions.

The bad news is that planners are projecting the completion date to be October 2013, a year beyond the original completion date of fall 2012.

Kathy Sharp, the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works project manager said in an update on Aug. 22 that Phase One of the project should be done by December of this year.

Phase One includes:

• creating a right turn and thru lane for eastbound MD214 to southbound MD468;
• creating two left turn lanes from northbound MD468 to westbound MD214;
• creating a right turn lane from northbound MD468 to eastbound MD214; and
• creating a left turn lane from westbound MD214 to southbound MD468.

Phase Two of construction will commence in Spring of 2013 and end in the Fall of 2013.

Phase Two will include:

• creating a continuous additional westbound lane on MD214; and
• extending the merge lane for northbound MD468 to eastbound MD214.

The project is part of the Edgewater/Mayo Small Area Plan (SAP).

In the coming weeks, Sharp’s report indicates that there will be a continuation of the work currently underway. That includes paving work on the westbound lane of MD214. After that, they will begin the installation of the new signal. The old signal will remain in service until the adjacent lanes near completion. After that, they will move the work to the southeast corner of the intersection.