John Hanson Highway

John Hanson Highway. It is a major east–west arterial highway in central Maryland, forming a critical transportation link between the Washington metropolitan area and the Chesapeake Bay region. Carrying U.S. Route 50 and U.S. Route 301, it serves as a primary conduit for commuter and through traffic. The highway is named for John Hanson, a merchant and politician from Frederick County who served as the first President of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation.

Route description

The highway begins at the complex interchange with the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95) and I-295 near Landover, where it diverges from the Baltimore–Washington Parkway. From this point, it runs eastward as a controlled-access freeway through suburban Prince George's County, passing communities such as Bowie. The route features multiple interchanges providing access to major corridors like MD 450 (Annapolis Road) and MD 3 (Robert Crain Highway). Upon entering Anne Arundel County, the highway crosses the South River via the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge before terminating at its junction with U.S. 301 and I-97 near the Severn River, just west of Annapolis.

History

The roadway's origins trace back to earlier alignments of U.S. 50, which historically followed surface streets through Washington, D.C. and Maryland. In the post-World War II era, increasing traffic and the growth of the Washington-Baltimore corridor necessitated a modern freeway. Construction of the limited-access John Hanson Highway began in the late 1950s and was completed in stages throughout the 1960s, with a formal dedication ceremony held in 1965. The highway's naming honors John Hanson, whose role in the early American republic was championed by Maryland historical societies. Key projects included the replacement of older bridges and the significant redesign of its western terminus interchange with the Capital Beltway in the 1970s.

Major intersections

Proceeding from west to east, the John Hanson Highway intersects numerous significant state and federal routes. The western terminus is a major multi-level interchange with the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95) and the Baltimore–Washington Parkway (MD 295). East of this, key junctions include the interchange with MD 202 (Landover Road) and MD 450 near Lanham. Further east, it meets MD 3 and MD 424 (Davidsonville Road) near Bowie. In Anne Arundel County, major intersections occur with MD 2 (Solomons Island Road) and MD 665 (Riva Road). The eastern terminus is a large interchange with U.S. 301 and the southern terminus of I-97, providing direct routes to Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Future and proposed projects

Several plans aim to address congestion and improve safety along this heavily traveled corridor. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) have long-term studies for adding managed lanes, potentially as HOV or toll lanes, between the Capital Beltway and Annapolis. A major focus is the redesign and modernization of the aging western terminus interchange with I-495 and I-295, a project coordinated with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). Other proposals include intelligent transportation system upgrades, such as dynamic message signs and coordinated signal timing at adjacent surface roads, and environmental reviews for potential noise barrier installations in residential areas of Bowie and Davidsonville.

Category:Transportation in Maryland Category:U.S. Route 50