County readies MDOT visit; commissioners urged MDOT to prioritize local crosswalks, signage and pedestrian connections

Planning and public-works staff told the Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 2 that the acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation will visit Calvert County on Sept. 30 as part of the state’s Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) review, and commissioners used the session to press MDOT to act on local safety and pedestrian projects.

Jessica Catano, transportation planner in the Department of Planning and Zoning, said MDOT leadership holds an annual county tour to review the six-year capital program and that Calvert officials can use the visit to press the department on local items. Commissioners and staff identified several projects they want MDOT to prioritize, including pedestrian crosswalks at Sherry Lane and at Dunkirk, better timing of signals in Prince Frederick, and installation of Purple Heart signage for veteran recognition; staff said the Purple Heart signs have been delayed after about eight months of coordination and multiple contacts with state officials.

Public-works director Jared Cosgrove and transportation staff also discussed a sidewalk connection at a new shopping center on Dares Beach Road and Route 4. Staff said portions of sidewalk were included in the development but the state reviewed and did not require a full pedestrian connection; commissioners asked MDOT to revisit sidewalk decisions and consider funding or permitting that would complete connections to nearby schools and community centers.

Why it matters: Commissioners said these projects are safety priorities — especially crosswalks and timing signals along routes with heavy traffic — and urged staff to use the MDOT visit to secure a written response or firm schedule from state leaders.

Next steps: Planning staff asked commissioners to identify priority items they want raised with the acting MDOT secretary at the September visit; staff said they will follow up with MDOT and report back. Commissioners also asked staff to continue pursuing federal and state funding opportunities and to document safety data for corridors the county considers highest priority.

Ending: County staff said they will prepare materials for the MDOT visit and noted that some requests (for example, Purple Heart signage) require only state sign-off while others (signal timing, crosswalk design) may require engineering studies and funding.