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The program, which will begin May 18, seeks to alleviate congestion on local roads and improve emergency vehicle access during peak summer traffic.

The initiative, which will run weekends and Monday holidays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 8, will close two westbound U.S. 50/301 on-ramps at MD 8 (Romancoke Road) and Duke Street (Exit 38A). The closures, designed to reduce merging conflicts and improve traffic flow, will force drivers to detour via Castle Marina Road, adding roughly four miles to their route.

During a town hall meeting held in April, Commissioner Jim Moran discussed the history of the program, noting a pilot project in 2023 that collected traffic data to assess whether ramp management could reduce congestion on MD 18 (Main Street) and improve traffic flow on westbound U.S. 50/301 during weekend peak hours.

"In 2023, we worked with SHA to gather data, testing whether restricting ramp access would help ease local congestion," Moran said. "We tested the theory with data, and now we’re expanding this program based on those results."

While the data suggests that the program will ease congestion, some local residents voiced concerns at the meeting, particularly about the impact on emergency services and local commuters.

A Route 8 resident shared frustration over the detours, saying the added 20 minutes to her commute is a significant inconvenience. "It’s a tough pill to swallow," she said. "I understand the need to manage traffic, but I urge you to consider testing an option that only closes the Duke Street exit while leaving the MD 8 ramp open."

State Highway officials explained that closing both exits is critical to reducing backups on local side streets. Extensive traffic engineering analysis supports the current two-exit closure as the best balance to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Additionally, some community members raised concerns about the impact on emergency response times. A local emergency services representative noted that 38% of Kent Island medical calls occur on weekends, and detours can delay units returning from transport. The suggestion of a "locals-only" pass to expedite access for emergency responders was raised, but Commissioner Moran clarified that federal law prohibits such measures when federal funds are involved.

"Federal law restricts us from implementing any 'locals-only' ramps if we're using federal funding," Moran explained. "We’ve explored this option before, and unfortunately, it’s not something we can do."

Despite these challenges, the program has seen positive results during its pilot phase. According to the data, traffic on MD 18 from Castle Marina Road to MD 8 decreased by 55%, and delays between Piney Narrows Road and Castle Marina Road were reduced by 20%. Travel times on westbound U.S. 50/301 also decreased from 52.4 minutes in 2023 to 43.9 minutes in 2024, despite a slight increase in traffic volume.

Public Comment

Jack Broderick, president of the Kent Island Heritage Society, praised the delay of closures until after Kent Island Day (May 17) and noted that community feedback has been largely positive.

Mark Armstrong, a Route 8 resident, questioned the ownership of the MD 8 on-ramp property, which was confirmed to be state-owned and not under the County's jurisdiction.

A representative from the Chesapeake Manor Vineyard inquired about how navigation apps factor in ramp closures, with SHA confirming that the schedules are sent to mapping companies to prevent drivers from diverting onto side roads during closures.

Cox Neck Road residents raised concerns about spillover congestion, even when ramps are not closed, calling for more comprehensive solutions.

The program will continue to be monitored, and adjustments to closure times and detour routes will be made as needed based on ongoing data collection. 

Local residents are encouraged to provide feedback during County Commissioner meetings, held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Liberty Building, Centreville. Feedback can also be submitted via email at publiccomments@qac.org

For more information on the Ramp Management Program, visit the County’s website or check the Maryland Department of Transportation’s site for live traffic updates.