2023 Maryland Statutes › Transportation › Title 8 - Highways › Subtitle 1 - Definitions; General Provisions › Section 8-101 - Definitions

(a)    In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Administration” means the State Highway Administration.
(c)    “Administrator” means the State Highway Administrator.
(d)    “Bicycle and pedestrian priority area” means a geographical area where the enhancement of bicycle or pedestrian traffic is a priority.
(e)    “Commission” means the State Roads Commission.
(f)    “Controlled access highway” means a major highway with the same characteristics as an expressway, except that the conflict of cross streams of traffic is not eliminated necessarily at each intersection by grade separation structures.
(g)    “County road” means any public highway:
(1)    The title to which or the easement for the use of which, is vested in a public body or governmental agency; and
(2)    That is not a State highway or located in Baltimore City.
(h)    “Expressway” means a major highway of two or more traffic lanes in each direction that is designed to eliminate principal traffic hazards and has the following characteristics:
(1)    A median divider separating opposing traffic lanes to eliminate head-on collisions and sideswiping;
(2)    Grade separation structures to eliminate the conflict of cross streams of traffic at each intersection;
(3)    Points of entrance and exit limited to predetermined locations;
(4)    Vertical curves long enough to provide long sight distances; and
(5)    Shoulders wide enough to permit vehicles to stop or park out of traffic lanes.
(i)    “Highway” includes:
(1)    Rights-of-way, roadway surfaces, roadway subgrades, shoulders, median dividers, drainage facilities and structures, related stormwater management facilities and structures, roadway cuts, roadway fills, guardrails, bridges, highway grade separation structures, railroad grade separations, tunnels, overpasses, underpasses, interchanges, entrance plazas, approaches, and other structures forming an integral part of a street, road, or highway, including bicycle and walking paths; and
(2)    Any other property acquired for the construction, operation, or use of the highway.
(j)    “Interstate highway” means a State highway that is part of the national interstate system in this State, as designated by the Administration and approved by the United States Secretary of Transportation under Title 23 of the United States Code.
(k)    (1)    “Maintenance” means the upkeep and repair by which a highway, building, equipment, and other property is kept in an ordinarily efficient operating condition.
(2)    “Maintenance” does not include construction, reconstruction, or relocation.
(l)    “Primary highway” means a State highway that has been designated a primary highway by the Administration with the approval of the Secretary.
(m)    “Project” means the construction, reconstruction, or relocation of one or more sections or parts of the State highway system.
(n)    (1)    “Railroad grade separation” means any overpass or underpass that eliminates a railroad grade crossing.
(2)    “Railroad grade separation” includes:
(i)    The overpass and underpass structure and the approaches to them;
(ii)    Any related entrance plazas, interchanges, connecting highways, and other structures; and
(iii)    Any other property acquired for the construction, operation, or use of the railroad grade separation.
(o)    “Road” means a highway.
(p)    “Secondary highway” means a State highway that is neither a primary highway nor interstate highway.
(q)    “State highway” means any public highway owned by this State.
(r)    “State highway system” means the system of State-owned primary and secondary highways throughout this State.
(s)    “Street” means a highway.