St. Mary's County commissioners on Oct. 21 voted to hold a public hearing on the county’s draft Transportation Plan and directed staff to post the draft online for public review. The hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. in the Commissioner Meeting Room.

Why it matters: The transportation plan update, which began in 2021, will guide local road, transit and safety priorities and inform future capital planning. Commissioners raised questions about bridge and shelter projects and pedestrian safety measures during discussion before the vote.

Details and background:
Donald Mills, acting director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation, said the plan update started in 2021; staff used online surveys and the county’s 3‑1‑1 citizen reporting system to gather input and relied on the 2006 plan for context. Mills said the draft was reviewed by the Transportation Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission; the latter asked that critical lane volume levels of service be added to certain intersection analyses, and Mills said those revisions were made before the commission review.

Mills told commissioners the draft plan is available in BoardDocs and that staff could add a direct link on the department website. "Right now it's actually in BoardDocs," Mills said.

Commissioner concerns and clarifications:
- A commissioner noted a 2006 line item calling for a second span of the Thomas Johnson Bridge with a 2006 estimated cost of $131 million and said current replacement cost estimates are much higher.
- Another commissioner asked about transit facility upgrades and bus shelter placement on routes with increasing ridership.
- A commissioner raised recurring pedestrian safety complaints at a crosswalk on Route 5 and suggested investigating a user‑activated red signal (flashing red) rather than the existing flashing yellow lights, to improve driver compliance.

Formal action: A commissioner moved and a second was recorded; the board voted and the motion passed by voice vote. The motion set the public hearing date of Nov. 18, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. and authorized the commission president to sign related documents.

Next steps: County staff will add a link to the draft Transportation Plan on the DPW&T website and proceed with public notice for the Nov. 18 hearing.

Ending: The hearing will give residents an opportunity to comment on proposed transportation priorities before the board considers adoption of the updated plan.