JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
State Highway barricades block off part of Route 589 in Ocean Pines. Officials last week said planned slope repairs on the road would likely last four weeks. Original estimates were for an eight-week road closure.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Oct. 18, 2018) Originally thought to last up to eight weeks, a State Highway Administration official confirmed last week that roadwork shutting down a portion of Route 589 would be cut in half.

Meanwhile, frustrated residents were apparently inventing detours and installing makeshift signs to guide motorists along local roads.

The closure was along Route 589 at Turville Creek, just south of Gum Point Road, but the affected area is much larger.

According to a statement from SHA District Community Liaison Bob Rager, crews were working to complete a “significant slope repair, which will require a complete closure and detour of Route 589 for up to eight weeks.”

Assistant District Engineer Brett Deane, last Thursday, said the work was addressing slope failures.

“Basically, due to erosion, the slope of the road started to fail right there by the water,” he said. “We’re repairing that so we can save the sanctity of the road.”

However, Deane said construction was well ahead of schedule.

“We’re hoping to actually get it done in three additional weeks,” he said. “That’s kind of our target at this point. Things went quite well, right out of the gate.”

He said delays caused by the roadwork were about as expected and admitted the situation was not ideal for motorists.

“It’s quite a long detour, mileage wise,” he said. “The signed detour utilizes Route 90, Route 113 and Route 50. There are some local routes that people have used. Actually, some citizens put up some signage on some cardboard, saying where the ‘local’ detour was.

“Overall, it’s to be expected, especially during week one,” Deane continued. “The first week of a detour is always the hardest for everyone to get acclimated.”

When the work is done, Deane said motorists “won’t really see a difference.”

“The big benefit is the road’s not going to fall apart,” he said. “This project is about safety and preventative maintenance.”

Ocean Pines General Manager John Bailey, last Wednesday, said the closure has been creating confusion.

“I think most folks are not taking the normal or the designated detours of 113 and 90 and 50. A lot of them are using Cathell (Road) and a lot of them are using Adkins [Road], which is producing significant problems over at (Route) 50 and the intersection there at Royal Farms, and at the high school,” Bailey said. “I haven’t spoken with State Highway directly, but that may be something where they want to look at the timing of that light to get more people through there.”

Bailey advised motorists to “be aware of it and be patient.”

“The traffic is certainly heavier on those roads than normal,” he said.

Ocean Pines Marketing and Public Relations Director Denise Sawyer said road closures are necessary headaches.

“Most of our residents would agree that road maintenance to the main traffic artery in Ocean Pines is crucial. In the past few days, I have been fielding several calls from Ocean Pines residents. Some are airing out their frustration, while others are offering up alternate routes. All in all, the association is happy to have Route 589 on Maryland State Highway Administration’s radar,” she said.