Maryland Route 445 (MD 445) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known primarily as Chester River Beach Road and Main Street, the route runs 6.13 miles (9.87 km) from a dead end at the Matapeake State Park Ferry Terminal in Matapeake north to a dead end at a private community access road near the Chester River Beach in Chester. MD 445 is located entirely within Queen Anne's County on Kent Island. It serves as the main north-south highway for the eastern portion of Kent Island, providing access to residential communities and waterfront areas.
Route Description MD 445 begins at a dead end at the Matapeake State Park Ferry Terminal in Matapeake, which historically served as the eastern terminus for the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System before the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. From its southern terminus, the route heads north as a two-lane undivided highway. It quickly intersects with MD 8 (Romancoke Road) at a four-way stop, which is the primary route traversing Kent Island. MD 445 continues north, passing through residential areas and alongside the eastern shore of Kent Island. The highway crosses several minor local roads, providing access to various waterfront communities and subdivisions. As it approaches the community of Chester, MD 445 shifts its name to Main Street. It passes through the historic core of Chester, a mix of residential and small commercial establishments. North of Chester, the route becomes Chester River Beach Road again before reaching its northern terminus at a dead end near a private community access road along the Chester River. The route offers scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay and Chester River along its course.
History MD 445 was originally designated in the late 1920s. Initial segments included a spur from MD 8 to Matapeake and separate segments further north, which were gradually connected and extended. The southern end of MD 445 at Matapeake State Park retains historical significance as the former site of the ferry terminal that connected the Eastern and Western Shores of Maryland across the Chesapeake Bay before the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in 1952. Following the construction of the bridge, which dramatically increased accessibility to Kent Island, significant residential and commercial development occurred along the MD 445 corridor, leading to its current role as a key local artery for the eastern side of the island. No significant changes to the route's alignment have occurred in recent decades.
Major Intersections The only state highway intersection on MD 445 is with MD 8 (Romancoke Road) in Matapeake.