03/27/2026 OC Today-Dispatch

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OC Today-Dispatch MARCH 27, 2026

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— Page 63

PRICELESS

City thinks bus lane plan lame Council opposes SHA’s idea of moving buses to make room for bike path next to sidewalk.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF OCYACHTSHOTS.COM

BOTTOMS UP Improvements and signs of pre-season labor are evident throughout the area, including here in West Ocean City. See pages 40-41 for more photos.

Council face-off in April Former City Councilman Peter Buas and retired Ocean City Police Lt. Jeff Heiser make it a race for abbreviated term on the City Council. Voters will go to the polls on April 21 special election. — PAGE 18

OC permits cannabis advertising if ads don’t promote its use.

— PAGE 63

Cable landing not data center, CEO says — PAGE 12 PETER BUAS

JEFF HEISER

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OC Today-Dispatch

MARCH 27, 2026

MARCH 27, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

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A rendering shows a proposed concept to do away with the shared bus lane and convert it into a bike-only lane.

Coastal Hwy. bike path idea fully opposed by OC Council ments along the corridor.

“It's one of those things where you look and see how it goes,” Crampton told the OC Today-Dispatch earlier this month. “That’s really going to

By Bethany Hooper drive what [the project] looks like.”

Associate Editor While the goal of the project is to (March 27, 2026) Ocean City offi- protect “vulnerable” road users, incials say they will send a letter oppos- cluding those on bikes and scooters, ing a pilot project to convert a portion city leaders this week argued the of Ocean City’s bus lane into a dedi- planned pilot project would create a cated bike path. safety hazard, as it would move muDuring a biannual update from the nicipal buses into the right travel lane Maryland State Highway Administra- and force bus users to cross an active tion (SHA), the City Council on Tues- bike lane. day voted to send a letter of opposition “You don’t expect to get off of a regarding a plan to test the bus lane public bus and immediately step into conversion on Philadelphia Avenue a travel lane with motorized vehicles this summer going 20, 30 The council’s mph,” Council opposition to the President Matt project was unan- ‘Please do not lose sight that it is James said. “An a right turn lane for every other electric scooter imous, with members agreeing that car to slow down or to accelerate going 20 mph is it would pose going to kill a kid and move into traffic.’ safety risks to bi… Walking into a Public Works Director cyclists and travel lane is a disHal Adkins pedestrians as aster waiting to well as motorists happen.” and bus users.

Councilman “I think it’s not a very well thought Jake Mitrecic said the project put bus out idea,” Councilman Larry Yates riders in a vulnerable position. told SHA District 1 Engineer Mark “They're not wearing a seatbelt, Crampton this week. they're not strapped in, a lot of them As proposed, buses would be are standing,” he said. “So when we moved into the slow lane of the high- have a bus come to the stop, and the way to make room for a dedicated bike soccer mom with her SUV behind lane. Buses would then pick up riders them doesn't, we're creating a lot of from a “floating” bus stop located be- vulnerable users that way.” tween the slow lane and the dedicated Mitrecic ultimately argued the projbike lane. ect was not a good fit for Ocean City, Beginning this summer, SHA will as the bus lane conversion would rebe testing the project along north- duce travel lanes and add to street bound Philadelphia Avenue between congestion. Councilwoman Carol 17th and 26th streets. The plan calls Proctor agreed. for installing flex posts and temporary “I think it’s a safety issue,” she said. “floating” bus stops in the area as the “You look at this town during the sumSee BIKES Page 6 agency studies proposed improve-

State Highway Admin. plans to test “floating bus stop” project for summer season

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