Delmarva Highways :: Alternate MD 404 / Hillsboro, MD

An original alignment of MD 404 dating back to 1915, this section of highway was redesignated Alternate MD 404 sometime around 1950. It currently serves as "Main Street" for the villages of Hillsboro and Queen Anne, and travels through 3 counties.

Several charming features make this short detour a worthwhile drive. First, you travel through the historic town centers of Hillsboro and Queen Anne, and get several chances to look at historic Delmarva architecture. Second, a stone pier railroad overpass sours above the highway outside of Queen Anne. And, personally my favorite, you cross the Tuckahoe River on a beautiful antique concrete bridge, constructed in 1915.

A short section of Alternate MD 404, from MD 309 west to MD 404, was recently decommissioned. It is now under the control of Queen Anne County.

	A right turn from current MD 404 puts you on ALT MD 404... the highway's original alignment.
	ALT MD 404 is constructed with pre-1930 highway standards, with no shoulders and non-super elevated curves. It has a posted speed limit of 30 MPH through most of it's length.
	Passing through the unincorporated village of Thomastown.
	Entering Hillsboro.
	While passing through Hillsboro, the highway takes on a small town feel... dropping it's center line and serving as the town's Main Street.
	Exiting Hillsboro, approaching the Tuckahoe River.
	Constructed in 1915, and reconstructed in 1980, this antique concrete bridge serves as the crossing for the Tuckahoe River.
	Now in Talbot County, and meeting up with MD 303 for a short multiplex through Queen Anne.
	I told you it was a short multiplex... didn't I? Note the truck warning for MD 303. It passes under a very substandard railroad overpass.
	Leaving Queen Anne and the MD 303 multiplex... heading for MD 309.
	Stone pier railroad overpass... probably dating back to the highway's construction around 1915.
	Approaching MD 309, and the current terminus of ALT MD 404.
	Though technically not part of ALT MD 404 anymore, this section of Old Queen Anne Road was once an alignment for both MD 404 and ALT MD 404.
	The original terminus of ALT MD 404, at MD 404's current alignment.

All Photos Taken September 12, 2004 by Corey Dukes.