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TRAFFIC
 

Services Include:

Responds to residents' requests as well as the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.

Administers and reviews traffic impact studies prepared in support of land development applications.

Reviews and improves the safety and functionality of the City’s roadways and responds to public traffic safety concerns.

Supports other City projects from a traffic/transportation engineering perspective.

Coordinates with FCPS’ Safe Routes to School Program to ensure student / pedestrian / bicyclists’ safety around City schools.

Coordinates with SHA / County and others on projects which interface with City street network.
 

Goals:

The goal of Traffic Engineering in the City of Frederick is to provide professional traffic engineering services which are responsive to the needs of the residents and the City’s growing network.

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects:
 

1. Christopher’s Crossing Corridor and Intersection Improvement Program – This project includes the current and future assessment of this critical corridor. The City recently coordinated with Frederick County on the completion of the Christopher’s Crossing / Yellow Springs Road Corridor Traffic Study which analyzed several existing and future scenarios (2008, 2013, 2018 and 2028) to determine necessary improvements along the corridor in order to maintain adequate levels of service. The City annexed the Sanner Farm, adjacent to Clover Ridge, in order to complete one of the “missing” sections of the Christopher’s Crossing Corridor. This section is currently in concept design phase. 
    
2. East Street Area Network Improvements – In anticipation of the new East Street interchange at I-70 (opened December 2009), the City is studied options for improvements to manage the additional traffic. The City completed the East Street Extended Traffic Impact Analysis which studied existing and future traffic conditions with the interchange connection. Currently, the City has implemented new traffic signal timing to account for additional volumes along East Street. Several other improvements identified in the Study are underway or have been identified as future projects. In addition, East Street has been widened to accommodate traffic anticipated from the newly opened I-70/East Street interchange.  
     
3. Opossumtown Pike / Thomas Johnson Drive Intersection Improvements – The City completed the short term improvements to lengthen the northbound Opossumtown Pike left-turn lane in Summer 2009. While the intersection continues to function at a poor level of service, this improvement has benefited intersection operations. Currently, the City is coordinating with the State Highway Administration’s Motter Avenue Bridge Replacement Project to include additional improvements along Opossumtown Pike from the US 15 ramps up to Thomas Johnson Drive. This project will include widening the Motter Avenue bridge to better accommodate the heavy volumes of traffic on Motter Avenue / Opossumtown Pike as well as extending the turn lanes at Thomas Johnson Drive to improve corridor and intersection operations. 
    
4. Pedestrian Signal to Cross US 40 at Waverly Drive – US 40 is a heavily-traveled corridor by both vehicles and pedestrians. Currently, no pedestrian crosswalks are provided between Grove Hill Road and Old Camp Road, a distance of approximately ½ mile so pedestrians cross unsafely midblock. The City is partnering with the State Highway Administration to provide pedestrian crosswalks with countdown signals at the intersection. The project was completed April 2010.
    
5. Sidewalk Retrofit – This ongoing project, a joint effort between SHA, City and property owners, aims to serve the growing pedestrian transportation mode. To date, the City of Frederick has provided continuous sidewalk along US 40 to address increasing pedestrian demands. The City plans to pursue sidewalk along MD 26 between Monocacy Blvd and Latham Drive. 
    

Completed Projects:

In 2008, the Traffic Engineering Division received 314 traffic cases including 136 road closure requests.   It issued work orders for installing signs, thermoplastic pavement markings and other traffic improvements. Examples of traffic engineering projects include the following projects:

1. Modified signal operations at Opossumtown Pike and Thomas Johnson Drive to improve peak hour corridor flow.
2. Reviewed traffic impact analyses of new developments.
3. Approval of several traffic detour plans for improvement projects in the City.
4. Collected traffic data at all of the City’s signalized intersections.
5. Installed “in-street pedestrian” signs at many of the Carroll Creek pedestrian crossings to remind drivers to “Stop” for pedestrians within crosswalks.

Traffic Complaints / Request Forms

To submit a request to the Traffic Engineering Division, please submit a completed form (Traffic Request Form, see below), to the Traffic Engineering Department, 140 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 attention: Traffic Engineering Manager. All requests are evaluated on a first come first served basis and a response will be returned to you.

Forms Used For Traffic Engineering Services:

• Traffic Study Request Form
• Temporary Street Closure (Non-Recreational), Traffic Detour

Future Projects / Initiatives:

1. Update Synchro traffic model
2. Identify congested corridors and areas in the City
3. Update City’s Land Management Code (LMC) to include thorough Access Management Section
4. Coordinate traffic issues during the design of U.S. 15/Monocacy Blvd/Christophers Crossing interchange with SHA and Frederick County staff
5. Continue coordination with SHA on Opossumtown Pike/Thomas Johnson Drive improvements.