ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County’s Office of Transportation (OoT) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, October 8th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Howard County Library System’s (HCLS) Elkridge Branch, to discuss the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) designation of a Bicycle & Pedestrian Priority Area (BPPA) in Elkridge and the preliminary findings of its BPPA study. With 15 designated BPPAs in Maryland, through this State program, SHA collaborates with local jurisdiction transportation agencies to prioritize safety and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians by developing a BPPA plan to address the various challenges faced by these groups within the designated area.
As one of the oldest towns in Howard County, Elkridge has a long history of providing important transportation connections for our state and region. Today, Elkridge is a major center of population and employment in Howard County, and we recognize the need for enhanced pedestrian, bicyclist, and safety improvements for our Elkridge community. Through the BPPA study and plan, we are committed to working with our State partners to identify and advance shared projects to ensure greater safety, accessibility, and connectivity for this vibrant community.
The Elkridge BPPA is positioned to include a variety of sites that are key cyclist and pedestrian destinations in the area, including the HCLS’s Elkridge Branch and the County’s Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office on Aging and Independences’ Elkridge 50+ Center, Howard County Public School System’s Elkridge Elementary School and Elkridge Landing Middle School, various shopping centers and restaurants, and highly populated neighborhoods. Additionally, the forthcoming development of the new 65,000 square foot Elkridge Community and 50+ Center in the Elkridge Civic District, will further increase the need for safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian connections in the area.
Current conditions for cycling or walking within the BPPA include major obstacles like US 1, which bisects the BPPA and separates the Elkridge community from accessing key amenities and resources. In 2018, the County’s “US 1 Safety Evaluation on Bicyclists and Pedestrian Safety Final Report” identified this section of US 1 as a key focus area due to crash history, in particular collisions involving pedestrians. Tragically, there have been three pedestrian fatalities along this stretch of US 1 in recent years.
In addition to the obstacles posed by US 1, multimodal transportation along Montgomery Road also provides a challenge to residents in the Elkridge Civic District. The Montgomery Road bridge crossing over I-95 is a key barrier for Elkridge residents. Addressing this barrier, will help better connect residents living in east and west Elkridge neighborhoods and expand residential access to the County’s nearby Rockburn Branch Park.
While there will be no formal presentation at this open house format meeting, the concept plans will be available for public viewing and OoT, SHA staff members, and consultants will be on hand to explain the BPPA, the proposed work, answer any questions, and gather public comments.
Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the plans and/or have questions, should contact OoT at transportation@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-4312. Immediately following the public meeting, the meeting materials will be available on OoT’s “Elkridge Bicycle & Pedestrian Priority Area (BPPA)” website. From this same site, community members will also be able to access an online survey to share their thoughts and feedback about the project concepts; the survey will be available through Friday, October 24th.
An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available if requested at least five working days prior to the meeting. To request assistance and/or for questions about the meeting, email OoT at transportation@howardcountymd.gov.