BERLIN, Md.- State highway officials presented proposals to the Worcester County Commissioners Tuesday to ease traffic congestion from slots and development on Route 589, also known as Racetrack Road.

Slots are expected to arrive at Ocean Downs as early as Memorial Day 2010.

State Highway Administration District Engineer Donnie Drewer said the race track will have to pay for short-term road upgrades before slots arrive.

"I can assure the residents of Ocean Pines and in that area that the improvements that will be made by the slots people will take care of all the traffic that slots will create," Drewer said.

However, long-term projects include major improvements to the Route 589 corridor from Route 90 to Route 50. One project even includes a six-lane interchange at Route 50.

Drewer said that alone will likely cost as much as $25 million.

Drewer said funding could be delayed if those construction projects hit financial roadblocks. The corridor's improvement projects will have to compete with funding for other Worcester County road work like reconstruction of the Route 50 bridge to Ocean City, and Route 113 work.