BERLIN, Md. -- The lack of safe crossing areas along Route 113 between Old Ocean City Boulevard and Main Street can make life difficult. It is why town officials are looking for federal funding to fix the problem.
On Thursday, September 28th, the town applied for the Reconnecting Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant. Patti Stevens with the Worcester County Bike and Pedestrian Coalition, said it's a grant perfectly suited for Berlin.
"This grant specifically addresses communities that were divided by infrastructure in that which the infrastructure creates barriers and limits opportunities," said Stevens. "Economic opportunity, health opportunity and well-being, exactly as 113 does for the town of Berlin."
The grant is awarded by the US Department of Transportation. If Berlin is approved, Stevens said the grant recently submitted would not put pavement on the ground, but would help to engage the public and finalize which methods could be the most helpful.
Eventually, the town would like to see sidewalks running adjacent to Route 113. They would help to connect people on the east side of Berlin who live in the neighborhoods around Germantown Road and Old Ocean City Boulevard.
Another goal would be adding crosswalks with signals at the intersection of Old Ocean City Boulevard and Route 113, as well as the intersection of Route 113 and Main Street or Germantown Road. At the moment, the only marked crosswalk with signals is located at the Bay Street intersection.
A pedestrian bridge over Bay Street is also a possibility.
"Resources are limited and priorities have to be balanced across the state, so this federal grant is another opportunity to seek funding to address these challenges," said Stevens.
The challenges Stevens is referring to are people needing to cross Route 113 where no crosswalks currently exist. It can present a dangerous task for anyone trying to traverse the four lane highway.
"I believe the number is five over the last 20 years of fatality accidents and 120 accidents with injuries along this stretch of 113," said Stevens.
We also spoke with Kenneth Holroyd, who lives on the side of Route 113 opposite of Berlin's downtown. Holroyd uses a wheelchair to get around, and said an easier path to the Food Lion on Old Ocean City Boulevard or any of the other shops could be a lifesaver.
"That'd be a real good help, very good, I'd feel safe but I don't feel safe right now," said Holroyd.
Holroyd said when attempting to cross near Atlantic General Hospital, he's had a few close calls.
"I'm standing on the side of that corner there, cars coming by me missing me, I had one like last week I told you, the mirror almost hit my elbow, I'm glad it didn't," said Holroyd.
The towns efforts have garnered a lot of support. Organizations that have written letters of support includes: Mayor and Council of Berlin, Maryland Department of Transportation, Berlin Community Improvement Association, Germantown School and Community Center, We Heart Berlin, Worcester Youth and Family, Atlantic General Hospital, Buckingham Elementary School, Worcester County Department of Human Services, Maryland House of Delegates, Maryland Senate, Congress of the United States and the Worcester County Commissioners.
The county commissioners letter reads:
Dear Secretary Buttigieg:
On behalf of the Worcester County Commissioner, I would like to express our wholehearted endorsement of the application from the Town of Berlin, Maryland to the U.S. Department of Transportation. If awarded, the Town of Berlin will utilize the grant funds for the Bridging the Highway that Divides Berlin: Reconnecting Neighborhoods Split by U.S. Rt. 113.
Since its construction, U.S. Rt. 113 has dissected the Town of Berlin and created a barrier for many residents, including those living in income-based housing, from safely accessing schools, shopping, health and medical services, and business opportunities. The Bridging the Highway project aims to remedy that longstanding lack of access.
The initial phase of the project will include engaging community partners and stakeholders to identify options to address the U.S. Rt. 113 barrier, to include identifying areas to create safe crosswalks for walkers and cyclists, and developing concept drawings, a feasibility study, and preliminary engineering plans for a bridge over the highway. This bridge will connect to existing and proposed cycling and pedestrian facilities in the Worcester County Greenways and Trails plan, many of which are already in development.
We thank you for your favorable consideration in awarding grant funds to support the town of Berlin, Maryland in making the Bridging the Highway that Divided Berlin project a reality.
The town of Berlin, aiming to breakdown the barrier Route 113 presents.