FREDERICK, Md. — State officials announced enhanced safety measures along US-15 following the deadly tanker trunk explosion in Frederick.
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced they will be installing guard rails along Apple Avenue where on March 4, a truck carrying fuel crashed into a tree. The driver, Ronald Heiston Jr., 58, died on the scene. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Andrew Radcliffe, a district engineer with MDOT informed residents about the short-term changes during a Wednesday evening community event with state and local officials. "We are going to move to install as early as Sunday night, a traffic barrier and guard rail," said Radcliffe.
Residents like Bradd Hammond told WUSA9 that they were concerned about the lack of barriers in the area. "We should have a guard rail, we should have a wall preferably," said Hammond as he pointed out the gap left by the tree that was cut down following the crash.
Hammond says he has been living in the home since 2009. He can remember at least four crashes involving tractor-trailers on the stretch right in front of his house, and at least once a year he says a car crashes in the same area.
MDOT also announced long term changes along US-15 which include widening the highway by adding a third lane each way, and building sound barriers. The enhancements will be paid for my federal funding, according to Radcliffe.
Lamar Reese says his property has been a part of several studies to assess safety and noise barriers throughout the years, but there are still no walls. "They've been promising for 20 years to put that barrier up and it hasn't happened," said Reese during the community forum.
Radcliffe says construction on the long-term changes could start by Fall 2026.
Lamar Reese and his wife, Marie, say the changes cannot come soon enough.
During the public comment period, some residents expressed concern regarding the speed limit on US-15. Some recommended that it be reduced to 40 mph until the barriers are constructed in 2026. Others wanted to see speed cameras or police presence to deter speeding in the area.
MDOT says reducing speed limits requires conducting a study and changes are not immediate. Radcliffe told the crowd he would take his feedback to his team to assess potential changes.
Among the attendees during the community update was Hilaria Hernandez whose home was the only house that was burned down by the explosion. The Salvadoran family had been living in the home for three years, and in a matter of minutes, their 'American Dream' was destroyed by the flames.
Hernandez told WUSA9 that she hopes the officials follow through with the changes because of the number of neighbors whose homes are still at risk. Hernandez says she would not return to Apple Avenue unless the barriers are up. Her 10-year-old son Christian was among the people inside the day of the explosion. "I am thankful for all the first responders, and I am thankful that they are finally putting up the wall because we only lived there for three years," said Christian.