ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the release of the County’s Office of Transportation (OoT) “Elkridge Bicycle & Pedestrian Priority Area Plan” and “Montgomery Road Multimodal Improvements Feasibility Study” final reports.
Improving pedestrian and cyclist safety in Elkridge is an important part of our commitment to building a transportation system that works for everyone. As one of the oldest and most connected communities in Howard County, Elkridge plays a vital role in linking residents to jobs, schools, parks, and local businesses. By investing in safer crossings, better sidewalks, and expanded bicycle infrastructure, we are making it easier and safer for people of all ages and abilities to move through their community.
In September 2025, OoT announced the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) designation of a Bicycle & Pedestrian Priority Area (BPPA) in Elkridge. Created in partnership with SHA, the BPPA prioritizes safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists in a designated area by developing a BPPA plan to address the various challenges faced by these groups within the designated area. Elkridge is one of 15 designated BPPAs in Maryland and was selected for its many destinations where residents would like to walk and bike to, including the Howard County Library System’s Elkridge Branch, shopping centers, schools, and the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks’ future Elkridge Community Center.
The BBPA focused on US 1, Montgomery Road, Old Washington Road, and connecting neighborhood streets. The BPPA Plan identifies issues several key issues – such as missing sidewalks, lack of separated bicycle accommodations, and high-speed roads, that currently make it difficult for residents to reach these destinations without a car and provides recommended future improvements for both the short and long term. Key priorities include the following:
- Safer and more direct crossings;
- Continuous sidewalks and walking routes;
- Connected bicycling network; and
- Corridor operations, lighting, and transit access
The Montgomery Road Multimodal Improvements Feasibility Study focusses on Montgomery Road between Rowanberry Drive and Deborah Jean Drive in Elkridge. This roadway segment provides one of the few crossings of I-95 in this area of the Howard County and connects to Rockburn Branch Park, Patapsco State Park, Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department’s Event Hall, Elkridge Landing Middle School, Elkridge Elementary School, and Rockburn Elementary School, however, accommodations for pedestrians and cyclists are lacking causing safety concerns and challenges for travel without a motor vehicle. This study evaluated four alternatives for future improvements and compared the strengths and challenges of each.
These two studies provide a major step forward for pedestrian and cyclist safety planning in Elkridge and for the implementation of the County’s award-winning Complete Street Policy.
For more information about the BPPA, visit OoT’s “Elkridge Bicycle & Pedestrian Priority Area (BPPA)” website and for the Montgomery Road, visit OoT’s “Montgomery Road Pedestrian & Bicycle Facility Feasibility Study” website.