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A reader asked:

"I was wondering if there are still any plans to improve the intersection at New Hampshire Avenue and Route 108. As a local resident, this intersection is one of the most dangerous and poorly designed I have ever seen. Every morning it is a struggle just to get out of my driveway and go southbound on New Hampshire. The light backs up farther than the eye can see. Part of this is due to a lack of a left-turn lane or left-turn signal onto Route 108. In nonrush-hour times good luck trying to cross this street, since there are no crosswalks! Hopefully, you can provide an update on this."

Daniel Gittleson

The State Highway Administration responded:

"Regarding your reader's input about the left-turn lane and traffic signal, SHA will perform a 60-day evaluation study to determine if the intersections require additional line striping for turn lane designations or more signs in advance of the intersection. The study will also evaluate pedestrian movements at this location.

"The intersection, like many across the state, has seen traffic far exceed its intended capacity. Additionally, development has occurred that borders very close to the roadway, which makes capacity or intersection improvements extremely expensive due to the possibility of major right-of-way purchases.

"Long term, SHA has committed $631,000 for design for an improvement project to address congestion. Some of the work includes widening all four legs of the intersection to produce turn lanes. Currently, funding is not available to move the project to the construction phase.

"Additional improvements are also possible and are contingent upon a planned development, for which SHA will require traffic mitigation."

Citizens with questions about state-maintained highways in the county can phone the District 3 office at 301-513-7300.

Route 28 intersection improvement project begins

Using federal stimulus money, the State Highway Administration has begun a $968,000 project to improve the Md. Route 28 and Veirs Mill Road intersection in Gaithersburg.

Among the upgrades being made are turn lane improvements, grinding and resurfacing of the pavement, making sidewalks and ramps compliant with the American with Disabilities Act and improving the traffic signals, including a pedestrian countdown timer. The project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2010. The intersection carries more than 31,000 vehicles per day.

AAA warns against riding

in bed of pickup trucks

The recent death of a Howard County teenager prompted a warning from the AAA Mid-Atlantic of the dangers of riding in the bed of a pickup truck.

High school football standout Steven Joseph Dankos, 17, was killed when he was thrown from the back of the GMC 1500 pickup. Maryland law prohibits those 15 and younger from riding in the back of a truck, but there is no similar prohibition for those older.

Nationally, about 200 people a year are killed after being thrown from a truck bed.

"Children and teenagers account for more than half of the deaths that occur each year in this country as a result of riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks," said Ragina C. Averella, AAA Mid-Atlantic's manager of public and government affairs. "Few, if any, pickup trucks have seat belts in the back, and riding in the back of pickup trucks unrestrained is dangerous and deadly."

Fight results in Metro delay

A fight at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station Monday resulted in a teenager being pushed into the side of a Metro subway car moving through the station.

One of the teens was injured after he fell to the platform, causing a 45-minute delay for the train and delays to other trains as well.

Metro Police were investigating the fight.