EASTON — As site preparation is underway for a new regional medical center in Easton, many residents are concerned about the looming closure of Route 662, or Longwoods Road.
The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s new hospital is expected to begin construction in the spring of 2025. Since designs have a corner of the hospital sitting in the middle of existing Route 662, a section of the road is expected to be temporarily closed from Oct. 1 to May 1.
Greg Gannon, a co-operator of family-owned grain farming operation C.H. Gannon & Sons on Longwoods Road, is not necessarily opposed to the closure. But Gannon said that the closure will “represent an inconvenience at some level” to not just the agricultural community, but everyone who uses the road.
“Moving large farm equipment and construction equipment these days is dangerous,” Gannon said.
Instead of using Route 662, many farmers may have to travel on nearby county-owned roads. Gannon noted the visibility is worse on those county roads compared to Route 662.
Shore Regional Health representatives have stated that delaying construction of the hospital until a new route is complete would present significant financial and time barriers to the project. Hospital construction is estimated to complete in the summer of 2028.
“The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is committed to advancing the health of Mid-Shore residents and the new Regional Medical Center project is one of the most significant developments in the history of Talbot and its surrounding counties,” Shore Regional said in a statement enailed to the Star Democrat. “We recognize that building a state-of-the-art hospital to replace an aging and outdated facility may cause inconveniences and have worked tirelessly with state, county and city officials to ensure interruptions to daily activities are minimized. The necessary decision for a temporary closure of Route 662 was made in conjunction with the State Highway Administration, Talbot County officials and the Talbot County Sherriff’s Office.”
Nearly 70 residents wrote to the Talbot County Council in opposition of a bill that acts as a land transfer agreement between the county and Shore Regional, amending old legislation that required Shore Regional to build a new route before closing the current one.
A request signed by 67 residents asked that the county stick with the original plan that dated back to 2013. Council members voted 4-1 to approve the bill at their most recent meeting, with Council Member Lynn Mielke the sole no vote.
The letter presented four main concerns: increased traffic on local county roads, potential backups if there’s an emergency situation on U.S. Route 50, effects on farmers who use Route 662 for equipment and access to the Talbot County Community Center.
Wittman resident Mark Marshall, who signed the letter, uses the road to travel to and from work. He believes it’ll be a detriment to safety for farmers and residents alike.
“It’s going to put a hardship on a lot of people who basically depend on that road,” Marshall said, “especially on weekends with the traffic and everything going to and from Easton.”
As part of the bill passed Tuesday, the transfer of the land from the county to Shore Regional Health is contingent upon the fulfillment of a road inspection and contribution agreement. That agreement requires Shore Regional Health to contribute to surrounding road work.
Surrounding county roads — Hailem School Road, Hiners Lane, Airport Road and Goldsborough Neck Road — will all receive paving work this September, County Manager Clay Stamp said. Though that paving is unrelated to the potential Route 662 closure, Stamp said Shore Regional Health will be contributing financially to the effort.
Since Route 662 is a state road, the Maryland State Highway Administration is responsible for approving its temporary closure and providing an official detour, which is expected to be U.S Route 50.
“SHA continues to work with all involved parties and will review the proposed detour plan to ensure it meets standards and provides for a safe alternate route,” SHA wrote in a statement to The Star Democrat.
While the bill approved by the county facilitates the transfer of the road from the county to Shore Regional Health, the Maryland Board of Public Works first must approve the transfer of the land from the state to the county.
Upon successful transfers and State Highway Administration approval, the road may be partially closed for drivers come Oct. 1. Marshall, who drives Route 662 nearly every day and sees large farm equipment, is worried for the safety of the operators when that time arrives.
“If you have to go down (Route) 50, you’re taking your life in your own hands,” Marshall said.
Most Popular
Comments / 0