9/29/26 CSMC meet with Maryland Dept. of Transportation

St. Mary’s County’s September 29, 2026, Maryland Department of Transportation Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) tour meeting reviewed MDOT’s draft six-year, $21.9 billion capital program and transportation projects in the county. MDOT described a constrained funding environment, with rising construction and operating costs and no major new projects added to the draft plan. For St. Mary’s County, the Maryland 5 project from Indian Bridge Road to Great Mills Road has completed design and is in procurement, with construction anticipated to start in spring 2027; it will widen and resurface the road, add bike lanes and a sidewalk, and replace the St. Mary’s River bridge. The Maryland 245 sidewalk project in Leonardtown was advertised for contractor bids in August, with construction expected this winter. Maryland 249 drainage improvements are in design as a design-build project, while the Maryland 235 pedestrian safety project is anticipated to begin construction in 2028. Other discussed work included a planned signal at MD 5/MD 242, signal upgrades on MD 235 and MD 246, and design and right-of-way review for Three Notch Trail Phase 7. No contract awards, spending motions, or votes were reported.

The meeting also covered funding and project coordination: MTA reported $1.8 million in grants supporting local transit, including preventive maintenance and two medium-duty buses; MAA plans to administer $3.5 million in statewide aviation grants in FY2027; and MVA announced nearly $29,000 in local highway-safety grants. A proposed signal associated with the Tudor Hall Farm development would be developer-funded, pending the development process. MDTA said possible toll changes may be considered through the statutory public process, likely in FY2028, subject to board approval. Officials discussed the state’s transportation funding constraints and allocation priorities, but no formal policy action was taken.