Marked east-west.

NHS: East of I-95 into Aberdeen Proving Ground.

...................

[top of page]

Marked north-south west of MD 165, east-west between 165 and US 1.

A new MD 23 was built in the sixties from US 1 west to MD 165, 2-lane and partial limited access. There's a break in the route along 165 between the old and new 23; it's not dual-signed with 165, only "TO MD 23".

Route 23 has been extended on its east end to connect with the new Hickory Bypass (US 1).

...................

Sections of MD 23:
MD 23A: 0.34 mi.; East-West Hwy. ramp onto Bel Air Bypass. Actually part of southbound US 1.

[top of page]

Marked north-south.

NHS: Between I-95 and US 1.

The main commuting route for the rapidly developed suburban corridor between I-95 and Bel Air, MD 24 was rebuilt on new alignment in the late eighties. The 4-6 lane divided highway with access controls replaces the old 2 lane version, now MD 924. It then runs concurrently with US 1 (Bel Air Bypass) to 924 north of town. From there it's two lanes all the way to the Pennsylvania border town of Fawn Grove, becoming a small spur (one of those 4-digit PA numbers) off PA 851. Somewhat confusing since MD 23 turns into PA 24 on the other side.

Development has engulfed the entire length of Route 24 south of Bel Air, but access controls on 24 itself seem to be working to keep traffic moving for the most part. It's a little more hairy in Bel Air proper near Harford Mall with 3-4 traffic lights in quick succession. New development now extends along 24 beyond the bypass. This stretch is a 3-lane road with center turn lane. From the intersection with 23 north to the Pennsylvania line, Route 24 becomes a two-lane road, and a curvy one at that, especially through Rocks State Park. (speed limit is 25 mph through the park)

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
408 755 924

Sections of MD 24:
MD 24D: 0.23 mi.; Enhances access between 24 and US 40, where before only access was via MD 755.

[top of page]

Marked north-south.

...................

...................

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
746

Sections of MD 25:
MD 25A: 0.58 mi.; Jones Falls Expwy. north from I-83-695 interchange to Joppa Rd. This is the 'stub' north of I-83 on maps, and is signed as I-83.

[top of page]

Marked east-west.

...................

...................

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
633 850

[top of page]

Marked north-south.

So named because the road traverses Parrs Ridge, the backbone of the Piedmont Plateau between the Chesapeake coast and Catoctin Mountain. At an elevation between 800-1100 feet, it's the highest feature east of the mountains in Maryland. Eastward it's all downhill to the Bay; to the west runs down to the Monocacy River drainage basin in Frederick County, most of which is traversed by US 15.

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
808 849 852

[top of page]

Marked east-west.

...................

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
609 899 911 928

[top of page]

Marked north-south.

US 29 has its own page in the US highway section.

[top of page]

Not assigned, became MD 27 in 1934.

MD 29 swapped numbers with 27 when the latter became the new US 29 in 1934.

1934, the year of two 29s. MD 29 (left) changes to 27 the following year, as US 29 bottom right, enters Maryland along the former MD 27.

[top of page]

Status: Marked north-south.

NHS: Entire length except small piece between I-795 & MD 140.

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
668

MD 30 Photo Gallery: Hampstead Bypass

Hampstead Bypass, paved and ready to go, from Houcksville Rd bridge (former MD 90). Never again would it be this silent. (picture 07/12/09)

A very important route in the state highway grid, a mostly straight shot providing access to Hanover and points north, particularly Carlisle. I had avoided this route for quite some time, despite some of the former routes in the area that come off of it (89, 90, 833). The backups in Hampstead/Manchester are legendary, making MD 30 a route to somehow get across east-west than to travel along. A certain amount of congestion here is considered 'baseline', and not even mentioned on traffic reports, much like Towson. Apart from a few spots along the new Hampstead Bypass portion, it is a two-laner, but important enough to warrant NHS status.

The Hampstead Bypass has been on the drawing board at least since 1970, but languished, especially being in a majority Republican county in an overall Democratic dominated state. Only with the election of Republican Governor Ehrlich in 2003 did the ball really get rolling, construction beginning in 2006.

As of July 2009, my first trip along 30 since September 2001, the Hampstead Bypass was almost completed, it is be 2 lane with circles for access. The bypass was opened to traffic on August 6, 2009.

I only fear that the backups will simply shift and become worse in Manchester and the areas just north of the end of the bypass (a Walmart sits there). It's an odd junction, shoehorned in next to a junkyard, a bit reminiscent of the old 'gateway to Essex.' Must have refused to sell out.

After consulting the HLR, the mileages on the right are once again official; the bypass lengthens MD 30 by 0.47 miles. However, the circles serving as connector points are not noted, so this may vary yet again, depending on final totals in next year's HLR.

News of the groundbreaking might have broke about the same time as MD 43 opened down my way (October 2006), because I somehow completely missed it. Given that, plus the semi-siesta I was in about updates, I could just as well have been on Mars. So imagine my surprise when reports casually start mentioning it opening 'this summer.' I had said on another page here, 'don't hold your breath,' because of the political situation. I figured in 1999 that the Hampstead Bypass had about as much chance getting built as a Republican being elected governor of Maryland, or the Red Sox winning a World Series, or the Rays getting anywhere near one.

I made up for lost time, and managed to get plenty of photos of the construction in the months leading up to the opening. Unless something happens with a Manchester bypass (as far as I know, it's dead in the water, but I've been wrong before) I won't need to return that way until sometime in the middle of the 23rd Century. By then, hopefully, even the Cubs will have a World Series under their belt, or even better, maybe the Orioles can have a winning season or two.

[top of page]

Marked north-south.

The first Business 30 marker. (picture 07/12/09)

After the opening of the Hampstead Bypass, Main Street will be designated Business MD 30. I thought that it could end up possibly being MD 668 (30's associated hidden number). The same proviso for the mileages applies as for main MD 30 above. In town, the business designation hasn't yet been added on any markers.

Someone will have to tip me off when this happens. It's just outside the 30-mile line from home, beyond which it feels like you are mounting an expedition. The upside of this is that I always make sure to get my photos; I don't know when/if I'll return, so get what you can. Funny thing is I'll probably move away, then make trips back in to the old hometown for photos I had forever to get, but didn't.

Now that main line traffic is off Main Street, a long-awaited streetscape project is likely in the works, similar to the one currently underway in Taneytown.

[top of page]

Marked east-west.

Route 31 once ran west of its current end in Libertytown all the way to Frederick before it was switched to MD 26. On the other end MD 27 northeast of Westminster, along with a small piece to the northeast of Manchester was once part of 31.

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
852

[top of page]

Marked north-south from Westminster to MD 108, east-west south of MD 108 to I-97.

NHS: Between I-97 and I-70.

Now a freeway for a significant part of its length, MD 32 has seen more than its share of changes over the years. Route 32 began as a highway northwest off US 140 in Westminster west to Taneytown and Emmitsburg. To the south, 32 was extended south down to current MD 144, later all the way south to US 1, over a southern section once designated MD 106. All this before World War II. The original section was bypassed by MD 97 in the sixties, later MD 140. The northern terminus of 32 was rolled back to Westminster, and the old section numbered MD 832. The Patuxent Freeway was completed from US 1 south to MD 170 by the late eighties, and north of US 1 to US 29 upgraded in stages in the early 1990s. The full freeway north to MD 108 in Clarksville was finished by 1996, with the exception of traffic lights near NSA just east of the B-W Parkway. These lights, the last on MD 32, were all removed by 2004. Exit numbers and configuration of the junctions in this area were completed by 2008. (Thanks to David Grabiner for these updates)

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
432 732 832 851 904 932 (look at all those x32s)

Sections of MD 32: AA-AK are all in the Odenton area.
MD 32A: (no name) (CR) 0.16 mi.; from MD 32 west to MD 851.
MD 32B: (no name) (HO) 0.02 mi.; between MD 32 and MD 851H.
MD 32AA: Sappington Station Rd. (AA) 1.00 mi.; from MD 32 north to MD 677.
MD 32AB: Burns Crossing Rd. (AA) 0.13 mi.; from MD 32AA north to Dicus Mill Rd.
MD 32AC: Burns Crossing Rd. (AA) 0.40 mi.; from MD 32AA south to end of state maintenance.
MD 32AD: Sappington Dr. (AA) 0.06 mi.; small section under SHA maint.
MD 32AE: Dicus Mill Rd. (AA) 0.15 mi.; from MD 32AB east to end of state maintenance.
MD 32AF: Gambrills Rd. (AA) 0.32 mi.; connects 32AI, AH, and AJ.
MD 32AG: Tobin Way (AA) 0.16 mi.; from MD 32AF west to cul-de-sac.
MD 32AH: Lodigani Ave. (AA) 0.4 mi.; from MD 32AF east to road end.
MD 32AI: (no name) (AA) 0.04 mi.; from MD 32AF east to road end.
MD 32AJ: Jackson Grove Rd. (AA) 0.27 mi.; from MD 170 west to end of state maintenance.
MD 32AK: Redmiles La. (AA) 0.34 mi.; from Old Mill Rd. south to road end.

[top of page]

Marked east-west.

...................

...................

[top of page]

No longer assigned, became MD 17 in the 1930s.

Don't know why 17 and 33 were swapped, other than perhaps a proposal to extend US 17 north of adjacent Virginia, but still unsure. US 33 runs east-west a ways down in Virginia, too.

[top of page]

Marked east-west.

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
845

...................

Suffixed section of MD 34:
MD 34A: North Main St. 0.12 mi.; connector at north end of Keedysville.

[top of page]

Marked north-south.

MD 35 heading north, ominous clouds ahead (photo 1999).

Sometime between 1939 and 1946, MD 35 was truncated to its current length, having once extended south down current MD 36 to US 40 Alt (Back then, it was the main US 40). Becomes PA 96 at the border just past Ellerslie.

[top of page]

Marked north-south.

The part of MD 36 south of I-68 runs up the narrow George's Creek valley. The creek, MD 36 and a rail line twist about each other almost like a helix. There are several rail crossings at-grade on 36, plus a few old alignments to make things interesting. The old main street of Westernport has been bypassed (old now MD 937 unmarked). Barton, Moscow and Pekin (which the Post Office calls Nikep) have all been bypassed (old route is unmarked MD 935). That leaves Lonaconing as the only un-bypassed town along the route. MD 36 originally went to Frostburg along what is now (marked) MD 956, then was shifted to the east along a part of MD 55, meeting up with Alt US 40 east of Frostburg, running concurrently with Alt 40 through most of that town.

It then runs northeast, looping back with Alt US 40 northeast of Cumberland. Prior to a WWII-era number swap, MD 36 once ended at MD 35, and the latter ran south to Alt US 40. The last map to show MD 35 was 1938, with 1939-40 versions showing no marker specifically along that portion. Only with the first postwar version in 1946 is it shown as MD 36. At the 'northern' terminus with Alt 40, the directional banner is done away with. Geographically in a north-northwesterly direction, but it would read 'south' in terms of the route.

...................

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
654 655 657 692 717 726 728 729 730 731 831 935 936 937 939

[top of page]

No longer assigned (decommissioned 1999).

On some maps since the fifties. Didn't touch any other route, except the bridge over I-795. Most strange.

MD 37 marker at beginning of route, eastern terminus near Owings Mills, 1998.

[top of page]

No longer assigned, entire route now part of US 219.

In the thirties, US 219 ended at US 40 in Grantsville. Circa 1939 it was decided to extend 219 south through Garrett Co. into West Virginia. Soon thereafter 37 was reassigned to the short piece of McDonough Rd above.

Route 37 marked the end of the east to west statewide 12-37 numbering cluster. MD 38, 39, and (41) were assigned to local routes in Garrett County., beginning the second tier of routes ending at 380 on the lower Eastern Shore.

[top of page]

Marked north-south.

Once went further west along 135 then north on Sand Flat Rd. to US 219. Begins Garrett County 38-42 primary numbering cluster.

Sections of MD 38: both connect 38 and 135.
MD 38A: (no name) 0.0 mi.; east of 38.
MD 38B: (no name) 0.0 mi.; west of 38.

[top of page]

Marked east-west.

The westernmost Maryland state route, reaching west longitude 79° 29' at the West Virginia border.

Associated Secret-Obscure Routes:
827

Section of MD 39:
MD 39A: (no name)0.01 mi.; north off MD 39 to MD 827C.

[top of page]