J-Turn Falls Flat As Dangerous Intersection Solution - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

SNOW HILL, Md. - Marty Pusley, who works near the intersection of MD Rout 113 and Public Landing Road says "almost once a week, that roads closed because of some type of accident, injury, and sometimes fatality."

Over just 6 years, there have been at least 59 accidents on two notoriously dangerous intersections on Maryland 113.  One at Snow Hill Road, the other, Public Landing Road, which is why Maryland Highway Administration is looking at other options.  Namely, the "J-turn".

It's not a new concept.  J-turns would essentially stop cars from crossing US 113 at the intersections by taking them through an exaggerated U-turn to get to the other side.  They reportedly decreased collisions on 301 from Queen Anne's to Kent County by 81 percent, and on route 50 in Hebron by 70 percent.

This isn't' the first time officials have tried to fix those intersections.  At the meeting they admitted "had we known what we know no, we would've probably done it" earlier.  Warning signs cover the area, and flashing lights caution motorists of treacherous roadways, but for many, that's not enough.

In a chorus of "Amen's," most of the residents said they'd like to see traffic light's put in place at the intersections.  While authorities agree, traffic lights would be a less expensive option, government regulations have apparently ruled them out at that particular location.

The design phase for the new j-turns has started and is fully funded, but there's still no money for the actual construction.  If all goes as planned, the project should be completed by Fall of 2013, but residents wonder how many more people have to be injured, or die from accidents on US 113 before someone takes immediate action.