Efforts to enhance pedestrian safety and improve infrastructure are kicking off on Fort Smallwood Road, a stretch of asphalt that serves Anne Arundel County's Riviera Beach area. Targeting a .7 mile section between Duvall Highway and Kenton Road, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has initiated a project set to wrap up by fall of 2026, weather allowing. According to reports from WMAR2 News, the $6.8 million endeavor will install 5-foot-wide sidewalks, revamp signal technology, bolster water infrastructure, and raise school zone beacon visibility in proximity to Sunset Elementary.
Joining the chorus of improvements are ADA-compliant elements such as accessible pedestrian signals and reconstructed traffic signals, atop of continental crosswalks and video detection cameras, which promise to refine the pedestrian experience significantly. Construction has commenced with the reconstruction of the county waterline along the road's southbound side, and traffic is to be rearranged to keep two lanes open. WBALTV reported that occasional off-peak lane closures would occur to accommodate the nighttime and daytime work ahead.
Beyond the creation of sidewalks that meet ADA regulations, the project will also involve upgraded stormwater management facilities and a resurfacing of the roadway's asphalt. These changes are designed not only for the safety of those on foot but also to enhance connectivity to various community centers. Such upgrades are anticipated to facilitate safer access to local resources, including schools, libraries, and businesses nestled within Riviera Beach.
Local drivers should prepare for adjusted traffic patterns throughout the project, with the SHA dedicated to preserving a two-lane flow even as construction evolves.
