Maryland Route 560


Maryland Route 560 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for most of its length as Gorman Road, the state highway runs from U.S. Route 50 in Gorman north to MD 135 in Mountain Lake Park. MD 560 serves as the main street of Loch Lynn Heights. The state highway also provides a connection through southeastern Garrett County between US 50 on the east side of Backbone Mountain and the Oakland area. MD 560 was constructed from both ends beginning in the early 1930s. The northern segment was extended over Backbone Mountain in the late 1930s, but it was not until 1949 that the gap in MD 560 was filled.

Route description

MD 560 begins at an intersection with US 50 just west of the North Branch Potomac River and CSX's Thomas Subdivision in Gorman. After passing through the village and crossing Nydegger Run, the state highway heads north as two-lane Gorman Road through farmland. MD 560 crosses Glade Run and meets White Church Steyer Road next to the hamlet of Kearney before turning northwest and crossing Backbone Mountain at Kelso Gap. After descending the mountain, the state highway turns west toward Loch Lynn Heights. The name of MD 560 changes to Lothian Street upon entering the town limits. At Argyle Street, MD 560 veers west onto Third Street then turns north onto Paull Street. MD 560 leaves Loch Lynn Heights by crossing CSX's Mountain Subdivision at grade and enters Mountain Lake Park, where the state highway immediately reaches its northern terminus at MD 135.

History

MD 560 was constructed beginning in 1930 from both the Loch Lynn Heights and Gorman ends. By 1933, the state highway was paved from US 50 north to Le Moyne King Road, and from MD 41 south to Bethlehem Road just north of Backbone Mountain. The northern section was extended over Backbone Mountain to White Church Steyer Road at Kearney by 1939. MD 560 was a two-part route until the gap between Le Moyne King Road and Kearney was filled in 1949.

Junction list