The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has initiated a $6.8 million project aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and infrastructure along MD 173, also known as Fort Smallwood Road, in Anne Arundel County. The project spans 0.7 miles from Duvall Highway to Kenton Road and is expected to be completed by fall 2026, depending on weather conditions.
This initiative includes the construction of five-foot-wide sidewalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) along southbound MD 173, from Kenton Road to Duvall Highway. Traffic signals at key intersections—Duvall Highway, Elizabeths Landing Way, and Appian Way—will be reconstructed with ADA-compliant ramps and updated pedestrian signals. Additionally, continental crosswalks and video detection cameras will be installed to manage traffic flow.
Further improvements involve upgrading the county’s underground waterline along southbound MD 173, enhancing stormwater management facilities, resurfacing road asphalt, and installing upgraded school zone beacons near Sunset Elementary School to emphasize the 35 mph speed limit.
During the initial phase of construction, traffic will be shifted to maintain two lanes while waterline reconstruction takes place. Drivers should anticipate lane closures during off-peak hours both day and night as necessary. Rustler Construction Inc., based in Upper Marlboro, is managing the project and will use temporary signs and barrels to direct pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers through the work zone.
Anne Arundel County has contributed financially to this project. Updates can be found on the MD 173 project portal page Project Portal. This effort aligns with the Maryland Department of Transportation’s “Serious about Safety” initiative aimed at improving roadway safety through advocacy and education.
The State Highway Administration urges drivers to remain alert for reduced speed limits and changing driving patterns in work zones. For information on other major projects or real-time traffic conditions, visit chart.maryland.gov.
Information from this article can be found here.
