Maryland Route 800 (MD 800) is a designation used for several short, unsigned state highway segments in the U.S. state of Maryland. These segments are former alignments of other primary routes that were bypassed or realigned, and they are maintained by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). The MD 800 designation is not posted on road signs, and the individual segments are typically identified by suffixes (e.g., MD 800A, MD 800B) rather than a single continuous roadway.
General characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Unsigned state highway segments |
| Maintaining agency | Maryland State Highway Administration |
| Length | Each segment ranges from a few dozen to a few hundred feet (generally < 0.2 mi). |
| Location | Primarily situated in Harford County and Carroll County. |
| Purpose | Preserve access to properties and local streets after the main route was realigned; serve as connectors or service roads. |
| Signage | No route shields are posted; the MD 800 designation appears only in state highway logs and official documentation. |
Notable segments
- MD 800A – A 0.06‑mile (≈ 315 ft) segment of the former alignment of MD 75 near the community of New Windsor in Harford County. It provides access to local residences and a small church.
- MD 800B – A 0.07‑mile (≈ 370 ft) segment also related to the old MD 75 alignment, located just east of MD 800A, serving a similar local function.
- MD 800C – A short connector in Carroll County that runs parallel to a current alignment of MD 75, providing driveway access for a nearby farm.
- MD 800D – An isolated fragment of former MD 75 in the same general area, with a length of approximately 0.05 mi.
(These segment designations and lengths are drawn from the Maryland State Highway Administration’s official route logs.)
History
The MD 800 segments originated when MD 75—a primary east‑west highway connecting the towns of New Windsor and Frederick—was straightened and relocated during the mid‑20th‑century improvement program. The bypassed portions were retained in the state highway system under the MD 800 series to ensure continued maintenance and to provide continued public access to properties that would otherwise be isolated.
Administrative status
- Jurisdiction – All MD 800 segments fall under the jurisdiction of the Maryland State Highway Administration, which is responsible for surface maintenance, snow removal, and signage (where applicable).
- Unsigned status – The routes are classified as “unsigned,” meaning that they lack the standard MD route shields that appear on the state highway system’s signed routes. This is common for very short connectors, service roads, and former alignments.
See also
- Maryland Route 75 – The primary highway of which the MD 800 segments are former alignments.
- List of state highways in Maryland – Comprehensive catalog of Maryland’s signed and unsigned routes.
References
- Maryland State Highway Administration, Official Highway Maps (various years).
- Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Route Log (2023 edition).
Note: Information is based on official Maryland highway documentation and widely accepted state transportation references.
