The Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) $28 million project on Route 175 at Reece Road and Mapes Road/Charter Oaks Boulevard in Fort Meade involves widening the intersection to add extra capacity, as well as turn lanes to help reduce daily traffic congestion around the post.

These improvements are necessary to accommodate the increase of employment resulting from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). After BRAC, the expansion of the U.S. CyberCommand and other boosts in employment at Fort Meade, point to traffic on Route 175 rising from the current daily average of 28,000 cars to more than 65,000 cars by 2030.

Currently, the SHA is working on stormwater management ponds along the Fort Meade side on Route 175; additional improvements will include raised medians, a hiker/biker trail along eastbound side of the highway and grading.

As soon as temperatures warm, the SHA will shift traffic on Route 175 to begin widening the intersection to create space for the future turn lanes. The all travel lanes will be maintained during construction and traffic will be shifted by restriping the intersection. This phase is expected to begin in March or April (depending on the weather).

In addition, the SHA will install concrete barriers to help guide traffic and protect motorists during the widening project. This phase should last well into fall, weather permitting.