The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will modify its proposed Pedestrian Safety Action Plan for MD 235 (Three Notch Road) in St. Mary’s County to address community concerns about traffic flow while advancing safety improvements.
In a letter dated May 7, 2026, to Delegate Todd B. Morgan, Secretary Kathryn Thomson acknowledged the St. Mary’s County Delegation’s opposition to the plan and expressed sadness over the tragic pedestrian fatality that occurred on April 10 near Town Creek Drive. That crash happened less than half a mile from the proposed project area between MD 246 (Great Mills Road) and MD 237 (Chancellors Run Road).
The SHA will perform a fatal infrastructure review at the crash location to evaluate conditions for potential safety improvements. The MD 235 corridor was prioritized for pedestrian and bicycle safety upgrades based on public feedback during early development stages. A public informational workshop was held on March 12 to gather input on the proposed changes.
Maintaining vehicular operations and capacity was the most common concern raised at the meeting and in Delegate Morgan’s letter. In response, the SHA will adjust the plan to keep the existing southbound right-turn lane along MD 235, allowing vehicles to access businesses without slowing down or turning from the through lane. The department will also explore funding opportunities to extend the Three Notch Trail to connect to FDR Boulevard, enhancing bicycle access along the corridor.
Other proposed improvements that received positive feedback will move forward with minimal impacts on traffic. These include modifying signalized intersections by removing some channelized right-turn lanes or “slip lanes” while maintaining dedicated right-turn lanes, converting the partial signal intersection at Buck Hewitt Road and Rue Purchase Road into a traditional full signal, and installing a pedestrian safety fence within the median of MD 235 between the Pegg Road and Buse Road intersection and Exploration Drive. These efforts will be coordinated with the current project to upgrade and implement smart signals along MD 235.
Three Notch Road is a major north-south corridor in St. Mary’s County that serves local residents, commuters, and traffic related to Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The planned safety upgrades aim to improve conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists while preserving efficient travel for vehicles in a growing region.
The SHA thanked Delegate Morgan for his input and invited further discussion. Residents seeking additional information can contact Mr. Joseph P. Gentile, SHA Office of Highway Development Transportation Design Engineer, at 410-545-8829 or jgentile@mdot.maryland.gov.
