SALISBURY, Md. - Wicomico County officials are asking the state for funding of a feasibility study into the idea of turning the U.S. Route 13 Bypass into a full loop around Salisbury.
The existing bypass currently runs from near Hebron, around the east side of Salisbury, and ends just south of Fruitland. Completing the remaining section would create a continuous circle around the city, a concept often seen in larger metropolitan areas.
While the idea is far from new, it remains part of the county’s annual "Transportation Priority Letter" to the state. County Executive Julie Giordano says the letter includes a wide range of infrastructure requests, and she understands that not all of them will be funded.
“It would be an actual full loop, like, you know, big cities have,” Giordano said. She believes the extension could help ease traffic congestion and improve regional connectivity. “It’s going to be a little expensive obviously going up and over, but it’ll kind of take some traffic off of our ferry because people will be able to get from one side of the river to the other,” she added.
The letter calls for a “bypass feasibility study” that would assess potential routes, examine environmental impacts, and provide early-stage cost estimates.
Some people we spoke with support the idea. Mattie Dryden noted, “There have been so many accidents out here, and if it would cut down on congestion, I think it would be a good idea.” Vanessa Adams echoed that sentiment, saying, “Salisbury’s become extremely congested, and being able to scoot from one end of town to the other with a bypass would be a great idea.”
Others expressed concern over the potential impact on farms. “There’s always that impact on farmland, it’s dwindling in this area because so many people are moving in,” said Donna Pollick, who supports the idea overall.
Giordano emphasized that the proposal is in its early stages and ultimately depends on state funding and prioritization. “It is a state road, so the state’s going to have to come forward and say, ‘Hey, we want to do this.’ And right now, I don’t think it’s a priority considering there are so many other road projects.”
Even if the state agrees to fund a feasibility study, the findings could determine that completing the loop is not viable or require significant changes to the original concept.
The County Council approved the updated transportation letter earlier this week. It includes dozens of potential projects aimed at improving infrastructure throughout Wicomico County.