Local officials and community groups have been trying for years to get traffic lights at two St. Mary’s County intersections deemed dangerous. One of them is the intersection of Route 4 (St. Andrews Church Road) and Wildewood Parkway. The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) repeatedly has said the intersection does not warrant a traffic light.

The problem at the intersection stems from the heavy traffic, particularly at rush hours, along Route 4. It is extremely difficult to make a left hand turn coming out of Wildewood Parkway. The problem is exacerbated by poor sight distance for viewing southbound Route 4 traffic.
Drivers attempting to make a right turn out of Wildewood Parkway also have their line of sight blocked when a driver is sitting in the left turn lane attempting to make a turn.
The St. Mary’s County Commissioners have once again attempted to get SHA to listen to the concerns. A recent letter to SHA elicited a reply that the state agency will conduct another study to see if the traffic light is warranted.
In the February 13 letter to the commissioners, SHA Administrator Melinda Peters wrote: “In response to your request, SHA’s District Engineer, Mr. Lee Starkloff, and his traffic engineering staff will conduct an evaluation of the MD 4 and Wildewood Parkway intersection to determine the feasibility of traffic signal control and identify any other needed intersection improvements. This type of review typically takes up to 90 days to complete. Mr. Starkloff will share the findings with you once available.”
The administration is also studying Route 5 (Pt. Lookout Road) though Leonardtown for improvements, including the intersection with Abell St./Moakley St. that the Leonardtown Commissioners and county commissioners have repeatedly said should have a traffic signal. A housing development,  the school board office, several office buildings and St. Mary’s Hospital can all be accessed by Moakley Street.
In addition to the traffic light, the study is also looking at the possibility of a center turn lane as well as intersection improvements to Routes 245 and 243. There is also a possibility of a traffic signal at the entrance to the Clarks Rest subdivision which is about to commence construction.