In Focus – Editorial

Routes 113 and 589

By Bob Lassahn

From a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) summary of the events leading up to the implementation of the Route 113 improvement project:

"The US 113 project was the subject of immense public and political support. Citizens concerned about safety issues engaged in an intense and dramatic letter writing campaign, demanding the support of their elected officials for a safer highway. Additionally, many citizens expressed their strong support for the project by attending public meetings and the hearing, telling their story of losing family members or friends to accidents in the US 113 corridor. This in turn led to pressure on the SHA (State Highway Administration) and permitting agencies to give the project top priority and push it through the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process."

As evidenced by this statement citizen involvement was obviously a key factor in driving the improvement of Route 113 forward at a time when statistics and priorities would likely have assigned the project a "back burner" status. Within the FHWA summary CRASH (Concerned Residents Action for Safer Highways) is cited numerous times as a driving force in streamlining a lengthy and unwieldy process. According to FHWA the Route 113 project moved at a record pace, with much of the credit for expediting the work assigned to citizen involvement.

The effort stands as a perfect example of the influence a group of committed citizens are able to exert on elected officials and government agencies. The old saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" is absolutely true in this case. The grass roots effort became a groundswell that could not be ignored.

Completion of the northern portion of Route 113 from the Delaware state line to Route 50 there was followed by a lull in activity. The two lane stretch between Berlin and Snow Hill remained untouched. Then, in June 2004 it appeared the project to transition Worcester Highway to a four lane divided road was getting back on track. Maryland Governor Robert L. Erlich, Jr. headed a gathering of representatives to formally announce the beginning of reconstruction on the remaining two lane section of Route 113. CRASH President Bob Hulburd praised the efforts of the governor and other elected officials to continue the project, something his group has pursued since 1994.

While one four mile section of Route 113 is presently under construction it represents a small portion of the 13+ miles of two lane roadway still to be improved. The situation is exacerbated by the slowdown in funding for the improvements, with Route 113 receiving a mere $750,000 during the last round of federal highway grants. Other roadways, in other areas of the state were given higher priority.

As previously reported in The Courier, according to a spokesperson from the SHA with the current rate of funding it is impossible to project a completion date for improvements to the remaining roadway, but it is likely to be a prolonged project. The hard work of many good citizens might now be falling through the cracks of bureaucracy.

Layered on top of the situation with Route 113 is the need for improvements to Route 589 or Racetrack Road. According to SHA officials any activity to improve this 4.9 mile section of road serving the largest population center in Worcester County and numerous commercial areas will not take place until Route 113 is complete. Facing a planning and implementation process that could possibly take more than a decade, Route 589 may linger in limbo for the next 20 years. During that time additional growth and more traffic is almost inevitable.

The Worcester County Commissioners have been exerting their influence with appropriate state and federal representatives in an effort to get Route 113 back on the fast track to completion. They are also attempting to influence the SHA to at least begin the critical planning phase for Route 589, but face considerable resistance. Getting everything done may take some additional leverage.

CRASH is once again gearing up to carry the concerns of the residents before the appropriate officials and are being joined by a splinter group, STAR589 (Safe Travel Along Route 589) focusing attention on issues with Racetrack Road. But the task before these committed citizens is daunting and they need the support of every person interested in seeing these critical roadways improved.

Route 113 improvements should not be allowed to fall into the abyss of under-funded projects and linger for years awaiting completion. The route is the major north/south highway serving the eastern portions of Delmarva, handling both local traffic and those transiting the area for points beyond Worcester County. Being an agricultural area there is also the occasional piece of farm equipment and the ever present trucks serving both local and interstate interests.

These conflicting purposes can lead to passing scenarios as users, frustrated with the pace of travel, might opt to take chances. Conversion to a four lane divided highway would greatly reduce the potential for deadly head on collisions of the type that have claimed a number of lives and spurred the efforts of CRASH by making travel on the roadway more efficient.

Route 589 must also get onto the drawing boards and into the design phase. Every elected official, whether serving in Worcester County, in Annapolis or in Washington must be aware of the importance placed upon this project by the citizens. Elected officials may be willing to take up the fight when they know where their constituency stands. The wheel must begin squeaking loud and long.

The SHA must be motivated to get Route 589 into the planning process. With a clear vision of what Route 589 will eventually become any development occurring along Racetrack Road may be given direction regarding improvements required to move the roadway toward its eventual configuration. The project cannot be efficiently accomplished through a patchwork of best guesses that might later require extensive modification or even complete reconstruction with the taxpayer's money.

According to Wayne Snowden of SHA design work is already underway on reconfiguring the intersection of Route 589 and Route 50 in conjunction with the new service road accessing the commercial areas including WalMart and Home Depot. That design process should be integrated into an overall Route 589 master plan.

Every citizen should get involved. CRASH and STAR589 need the help of all Worcester County residents. There are meetings to attend in force and letters to be written supporting the effort. The FHWA recognized the importance of the citizens in getting Route 113 started and getting it completed may require a similar level of commitment.

On October 10 at 10:30 a.m. the Worcester County Commissioners will meet with officials of the Maryland Department of Transportation in Snow Hill. While everyone attending will not have an opportunity to speak, their presence could assist in sending a very loud message to the state officials as CRASH and STAR589 make their presentations.