La Plata Route 6 road redevelopment vision updated

A new traffic light and roundabouts are planned for the heart of La Plata.

The Maryland Department of Transportation recently shared details for the newest version of its Route 6 redevelopment plan with Southern Maryland News.

The project is currently 30% complete with design and is expected to reach 65% completion by the end of this year.

Pending construction funding, the building phase is anticipated to begin in 2027.

Roundabouts are proposed along Route 6 at Maple Avenue and Oak Avenue.

The previous design presented to the public in 2023 included a large roundabout at Willow Lane, while the current design now proposes a traffic signal at the intersection of Route 6 and Willow Lane.

The change was based on a traffic analysis result that showed the signal would operate better than the roundabout for this intersection, Shanteé Felix, a media manager for the State Highway Administration’s communication office, told Southern Maryland News.

Felix said the proposed roundabouts at Maple and Oak avenues would improve the prevalent issue of vehicles encountering significant difficulty when attempting to turn onto Route 6 from these two roads during peak traffic periods.

In the current design, pedestrian crossings will be along every approach to the proposed roundabouts. Felix said that the State Highway Administration anticipates the roundabouts to improve safety for all road users.

“The enhanced infrastructure will make our town more accessible and attractive to visitors, increasing foot traffic and helping businesses to be more recognized and patronized,” Jeannine James, mayor of La Plata, said. “The redevelopment is not just about improving traffic flow — it’s about fostering a more vibrant, safe ad connected community.”

Along with the road changes, the State Highway Administration is considering landscape enhancements, stormwater management and drainage improvements, emergency vehicle accessibility and bicycle-pedestrian safety improvements, Felix said.

The current plan shows new medians placed at various intervals along the road and new “textured pavement” inside the roundabouts.

“Change is never easy and it’s only natural for residents to have initial concerns about new traffic patterns,” James said. “However, the state has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the needs and voices of both residents and visitors.”

Since the project design phase, which is fully funded, is only 30% complete, the plan is subject to change.