Board adopts 2024–25 Primary Road Improvement Plan update, reprioritizing segments of Route 37 and adding Route 50 safety projects

The Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted on Sept. 11 to adopt the draft 2024–25 Primary Road Improvement Plan, which adjusts the prioritization of Route 37 segments based on updated travel-modeling and adds Route 50 safety and interchange projects to the county's SmartScale application package.

County staff and Mr. Bishop, the presenter, told the board the Eastern Frederick County Transportation Study's modeling through 2050 shows some Route 37 segments are needed sooner while others can be pushed farther into the future. The plan preserves a 1A/1B priority structure, with 1A covering the segment from Route 7 to Route 11 North and parkway-style, at-grade solutions preferred in many places rather than interstate-grade, limited-access designs.

The update also incorporated recommendations from Route 50 studies and several SmartScale safety applications including intersection and shoulder improvements along Hayfield Road, Back Mountain Road, Dix Hollow Road and Stony Hill Road. The package includes a proposed diverging-diamond interchange at Route 50 and Route 37 as the primary conceptual upgrade at that interchange.

Board members asked about cost estimates (the draft does not include them) and whether parkway options could be expanded in the future if population growth demands it; staff said planning-level cost estimates exist in the broader transportation study and that expansion is technically possible though complexity varies by segment.

The Transportation Committee reviewed the draft June 24 and the Planning Commission recommended approval on Sept. 4 with one dissention. The board adopted the plan on a roll-call vote.