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The addition of new through lanes on either side of Ritchie Highway at the intersection of Earleigh Heights and Magothy Bridge roads is one of several planned road projects state highway officials want county residents to be aware of the State Highway Administration’s e-Road Ready brochure, which highlights projects motorists may encounter this summer across Maryland, includes nine projects in the county. Highway officials expect the project on Ritchie Highway to affect about three-quarters of a mile south of Margaret Road to north of Cypress Ridge Drive, said SHA spokesman David Buck.

Buck said the $4.2 million project, which includes the addition of through lanes in both directions, as well as the addition of sidewalks, drainage, landscaping and trees, to begin in late June or July. The work, being done by Rustler Construction, won’t be complete until spring 2016.

In 2011, 17-year-old Kara Micciche, of Pasadena, was killed near the Magothy Bridge Road intersection while crossing Ritchie Highway on her way to the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Department Carnival. A crosswalk was installed at the intersection later. House of Delegates Minority Leader Nic Kipke, R-Pasadena, said the road can still be confusing to motorists. He hopes the project will ease that confusion.

“Especially during rush hour, those lanes get backed up significantly and I think it adds a lot of confusion and it’s a traffic issue (already) beyond just a safety issue,” said Kipke.

The SHA’s e-Road Ready brochure highlights more than 130 work zones leading to “active lane closures” that will be popping up across the state. Other projects on the list include a Base Realignment and Closure process-related project on Route 175 at Reece Road to Mapes Road and on Charter Oaks Boulevard.

Buck said that before the project starts in late June to mid-July, the state is relocating a fence. When the project begins, the state will begin widening the intersection to add capacity and eventually ease traffic. The project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2017. The SHA says the summer season offers some of the best weather for road construction, which is often most active during “off-peak” times.

SHA spokeswoman Sandra Dobson urged motorists to always drive attentively and slowly through any work zone.

“E-Road Ready is our way of helping motorists be prepared for the work zones popping up all around the state in the next couple of weeks,” Dobson said. “It’s a guide to keeping you prepared and safe on the road.” The e-Road Ready brochure is available on the SHA’s website.

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