Traffic Light Coming to Annapolis, Dairy Farm Roads
The State Highway Administration said a new light will be installed at the busy intersection by the spring. Work could begin in the next few weeks.
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A new traffic light will be installed later this year at the intersection of Annapolis and Dairy Farm roads, the State Highway Administration said Wednesday.
Work on the light installation at the busy Gambrills intersection should begin within the next four to six weeks, SHA spokesman David Buck said. The light will be operational in about three or four months, depending on how the weather impacts the work.
Buck said the light will cost a little more than $100,000, with SHA paying for two-thirds ($71,800) and Anne Arundel County contributing one-third ($35,392.)
The intersection of Annapolis Road (Maryland Route 175) and Dairy Farm Road is a busy intersection, with many drivers using Dairy Farm Road as a cut-through to go south from Odenton to Waugh Chapel Road, and the area around the Four Seasons community.
Linda Church
7:30 am on Thursday, January 12, 2012
What about a light at Ransom Drive and Piney Orchard Parkway? Don't pull out in that intersection unless your life insurance is up to date.
Andrea
2:22 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
I always go out the back of the Kings Ransom community onto N. Patuxent - rarely out the front entrance - way too much traffic. Would never turn left on Piney Orchard Parkway!
Mike Davie
9:28 am on Thursday, January 12, 2012
Greatest news since installation of the traffic light at the other end of DFR with Waugh Chapel Road! They should install a left turn lane, arrow and tripper for westbound Annapolis Road (MD-175) onto Dairy Farm Road.
Tim Lemke
11:42 am on Thursday, January 12, 2012
Will this light be helpful?
Ryan Stavely
6:18 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
Absolutely. I make the left from Dairy Farm onto 175 whenever I come home from Waugh Chapel, and it's a pain in the neck every time.
John "Rob" Burk
9:00 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
No, but a round about would be.
Justin
8:18 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
Yes, it should be helpful and should cut down on the traffic through Chapelgate which many people use as an alternative to avoid the left turn.
Ryan Stavely
10:05 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I've lived here (Piney Orchard then Lions Gate) for a little over 6 years and never knew that you could cut through there.
Gerri Cappuccio
7:40 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Dairy Farm Road and 175 has always been a pain. A traffic light is overdue. I was hit head on while traveling on 175 because the person who hit me was texting another person. I am beginning to abhor 175, but a traffic light will be helpful.
John "Rob" Burk
8:59 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I am in support of a round about, but intensely against the installation of a traffic light. I live at that intersection, and completely agree a change is needed, but a traffic light is not the answer.
Ryan Stavely
10:06 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I'd be happy with either. Wouldn't a circle take up more land and encroach on your property more?
John "Rob" Burk
12:55 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ryan...Feasibly, yes. As the person with the property most greatly impacted by this change I understand that. At this point there has been no discussion with the neighbors so I am unclear what options have been investigated. However, this single lane rural route has been forced to have an expansion to two lanes on all sides due to the problems created by the unprotected left turn on all sides. Based off of accepted engineering standards for single lane 40 mph (or less) approach roundabouts the expansion onto neighboring property, namely my own...would be minimal..if even necessary. For myself as a neighbor, studies have shown that traffic lights (when compared to roundabouts) increase light pollution, noise pollution (acceleration), have a lower safety record, and cost more in long term management among a number of other issues. I agree there is a problem that needs to be fixed, it just strikes me as lazy that little has been done to discuss the matter and potential alternatives with neighbors like myself. That is if this story is accurate on the timing of installation. I haven't even mentioned that due to our outdated overhead power grid in the area during every major weather event our area tends to lose power (acceptable in a rural areas such as ours)....but with that in mind when is this traffic control most necessary???
Ryan Stavely
3:15 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Thanks, John. I hadn't thought about light and noise associated with a traffic light. Since it's your land and you'll have to live with it, I'd gladly give you 51% of the vote. :)
I'd rather deal with a traffic circle than a traffic light, so I hope that's what happens.
Sadly, given the fact that the SHA seems to be completely unresponsive to citizen input, I won't be getting my hopes up for one.
John "Rob" Burk
2:16 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thanks. I think you are correct. I buried myself in the State law last night and am amazed at the lack of requirements for SHA to notify/consult neighbors to their projects. The law protects SHA but not the public.
The funniest thing about this is I just pulled out a letter I wrote to AA roads and which was forwarded to SHA over 4 years ago asking them to look at the intersection and consider a roundabout, which would encroach on my land. After talking to the SHA regional engineer he indicated that they are in a "hurry" to get this done to keep the public "safe."