State Highway Administration and law enforcement officials met yesterday with local elected officials to discuss the issues surrounding the Hayward Road access to U.S. 15. They took questions from those of us in attendance and offered a short-term solution to the issue. The way I understand it, if any action is taken in the short-term, it will be to extend a right turn lane going southbound on U.S. 15 onto Hayward Road that would take all right-turning traffic out of the intersection at Hayward Road and U.S. 15.

This would reduce the number of drivers who hesitate when turning left from U.S. 15 northbound onto Hayward Road. Many of the accidents are due to drivers hesitating prior to making a turn, allowing southbound traffic to approach the intersection and collide with left-turning traffic.

The greater issue here is proportional transportation funding that would allow for the completion of the project at Monocacy Boulevard. I have consistently fought for proportional funding for road and highway projects; however, political interests in Baltimore raid transportation funds for mass transit, which is and less practical mode of transportation for residents in Frederick and Washington Counties.

I will continue to fight for adequate road funding to ease traffic woes for residents in Frederick and Washington Counties.

The Maryland State Highway Administration is meeting with local officials next week to discuss issues surrounding Hayward Road at U.S. 15. They’re soliciting input from local and state officials, as well as emergency personnel.

What do you think? How can we make Hayward Road at U.S. 15 both safer and easier to use? We’ll take your suggestions to the meeting next week. Submit comments here to or Matt@AlexMooney.com.

Thanks!