ELLICOTT CITY, MD – A Howard County construction project to enhance pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety, reduce vehicular speeds, and improve driver awareness at the intersection of Freetown Road and Quarterstaff Road in Columbia, is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, August 10th. The project will include the installation of stop signs on the northbound and the southbound approaches of Freetown Road at Quarterstaff Road, transforming the intersection into a four-way traffic stop. This portion of the project is expected to take one day to complete.
In addition, the intersection will be reconstructed as a raised intersection, ultimately creating a multi-way stop control raised juncture. Weather permitting, this portion of the project is expected to be completed by late August 2026.
Signs will be posted in the area to alert motorists of the reconfiguration and new traffic pattern at the intersection. Additionally, flagging operations will be in place to direct and maintain traffic flow through the work area as temporary lane closures may be required during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
While the County and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, drivers are reminded to stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Please slow down and don’t follow too closely when traveling through a work zone. Remember, work zone safety is in your hands.
For questions or concerns about this new traffic pattern, contact Public Works Customer Service at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.