Caroline County committee pauses proposed pedestrian project at Route 207 intersection

Caroline County’s transportation advisory committee voted Sept. 3 to pause pursuit of a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) application for pedestrian accommodations at the Route 207/Welcome Way intersection, citing a revised $5.1 million estimate and unresolved scope and right‑of‑way questions. The motion to “scrub” the TAP submission passed after committee members debated the estimate, contingency and whether nearby development might cover missing pieces.

Committee members said the revised scope presented by staff focuses on the intersection at Welcome Way and Route 207 and would add pedestrian signals, a marked crosswalk, a median refuge and new sidewalk on the north side of the road; the sketch presented did not extend the sidewalk all the way to Amman Drive. Staff reported the original corridor-level estimate had been about $11 million; VDOT returned a narrowed scope with a planning estimate of $5.158 million.

The committee’s discussion emphasized the cost breakdown shown on the estimate: large line items for design (about $900,000), right‑of‑way and utilities (roughly $560,000), a nearly $930,000 contingency line labeled “phase/contract contingency,” construction engineering and inspection (CEI), and a traffic/signalization allowance. Members questioned whether the estimate could be sharpened by confirming the existing right‑of‑way lines and removing risk allowances that assumed the worst‑case. One member suggested the county could perform some work using on‑call maintenance contracts to lower cost.

Staff explained TAP is an 80/20 program with a federal award cap (VDOT staff referenced a $2.5 million cap discussed in the meeting), meaning the federal share would not cover the entire $5.158 million estimate and the county would need to provide the remaining local match and any amount above the federal cap. Staff also noted a pending rezoning application for property adjacent to the project area; the applicant had informally indicated it might provide proffers to extend sidewalk along Amman Drive and toward Route 1, but that application had not been filed.

Committee members pressed staff to ask VDOT to “sharpen the pencil” on the estimate and to supply road plans or right‑of‑way plats to reduce the temporary construction easement and risk allowances. Members also flagged technical issues that increase cost: relocation or modification of a drop‑inlet drainage structure in the median, stormwater quality/quantity compliance for added impervious area, and the need for signal equipment if the crossing is signalized.

After discussion, Mr. Long moved to “scrub this project for now and look at it again for the SmartScale opportunity,” and Mr. Gordon seconded. The motion carried.

The committee did not adopt a specific ceiling for a refiled TAP application but discussed possible ceilings in the $3 million–$3.5 million range as a way to limit the county’s exposure if the federal award is capped. Staff said one alternative is to seek SmartScale funding in a later round for the larger corridor project (sidewalks on both sides of Route 207 and related intersection work), while using smaller county‑administered efforts or developer proffers to complete small segments sooner.

The committee asked staff to return with tightened cost estimates, right‑of‑way verification and clarification of stormwater and signal needs before any renewed TAP submission.

Ending: The committee’s vote pauses active pursuit of the TAP application for the Welcome Way/Route 207 intersection; the item will be revisited as officials prepare SmartScale options and seek refined cost and right‑of‑way information.