Delmarva Highways :: MD 90 (Ocean City, MD)

MD 90 was constructed from 1968 - 1974, and opened as a new express route to North Ocean City. Built as a "Super-2" expressway, parts of the highway are built on a 4-lane right-of-way, in case the road is ever upgraded to a full 4-lane expressway.

However, several key issues are holding up the upgrading of MD 90. First of all, the highway was built on what are now protected wetlands on the St. Martin's River and the Assawoman Bay. Also, the highway goes through what is now a residential neighborhood in Ocean Pines. Though enough land was set aside for future upgrades on the highway, residents of Ocean Pines have made it abundantly clear they don't want a freeway in their backwards.

About 5 miles of the 11 mile expressway were divided in the late '90s. This section of highway features a guardrail in the middle of the highway with a small median. There are minimal right shoulders on this section of MD 90.

	MD 90 (eastbound) interchange with US 50 (eastbound). Exit is a half trumpet, with this exit as the only one connecting with MD 90. MD 90 westbound has no direct connect with US 50 eastbound, and MD 90 eastbound has no connect with US 50 westbound.
	MD 90 approaching MD 346 overpass. MD 90 uses what I call "super phat" centerlines, and constant rumble strips on both sides of the centerline. This highway is a very busy corridor during the summer months, with tourists going to Ocean City. The Maryland SHA promotes as much safety on this road as possible, with these bold lane marking, rumble strips, and mandatory headlight use at all times on MD 90.
	MD 90 at MD 346 overpass. No connection with MD 346 is present.
	Traveling eastbound on MD 90.
	MD 90 interchange with US 113. This interchange opened in 2002, with a new 4-lane divided US 113 going under MD 90. The overpass going over US 113, along with ghost ramps, were constructed with MD 90 was it was built in the late '60s.
	Continuing over the US 113 interchange. The return ramps from US 113 were also constructed with MD 90 in the late '60s, and were not utilized until 2002.
	MD 90 going over original US 113 overpass. Ramps that connected MD 90 westbound with US 113 northbound were removed upon opening of the new interchange. There was never any connection for MD 90 eastbound... traffic for US 113 would exit at MD 589.
	The beginning of the divided portion of MD 90 takes place just after the US 113 interchange. Traffic is divided with 1 lane in each direction for here until the St. Martin River bridge approaching Ocean City.
	Traveling on the now divided MD 90 eastbound.
	Approaching the interchange with MD 589. MD 589 serves the community of Ocean Pines, and serves at the cut-off route between MD 90, US 113, and US 50.
	Continuing over the MD 589 interchange.
	Traveling MD 90 through Ocean Pines. Residential neighborhood border MD 90 on both sides of the highway.
	MD 90 crossing the St. Martins River. This is the first of 2 water crossings leading into Ocean City. This bridge, along with it's twin crossing the Assawoman Bay, were constructed in 1969. Traffic is once again undivided across both bridges.
	MD 90's only at-grade intersection, at St. Martins Neck Road. MD uses this peninsula to break apart its 2 river crossings. MD 90 divides itself, once again, at this location.
	Past the at-grade intersection, approaching the Assawoman Bay Bridge.
	MD 90 on the Assawoman Bay Bridge. Traffic resumes 2-way undivided traffic on this span.
	More Assawoman Bay pics. The Ocean City skyline is in the background.
	Approaching MD 90's end at MD 528 (Coastal Highway). For a brief section, MD 90 is a 4-lane divided highway.
	MD 90 intersection with MD 528 (Coastal Highway) in Ocean City. This marks the end of MD 90.