Baltimore County, MD - Feb. 27, 2023 - For the last four-plus years, my staff and I have been working extremely hard and diligently with County Executive Johnny Olszewski, the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation and numerous community groups/leaders to improve the walkability and pedestrian safety concerns in the greater Pikesville area.
Last Thursday, I was pleased to share the progress we have made to date and to announce several projects already underway to keep the positive efforts moving forward.
Through the investment of more than $5.5 million in capital funding over the last couple of fiscal years, we are making great strides to meet this moment.
Many thanks to everyone who packed the Pikesville Branch Library.
Background/available funding:
-Pikesville Walkability Study was completed in March 2022 (it will soon be available on the county website).
***
DPW&T has completed the following improvements as recommended from the study:
1.) 50-plus pedestrian ramp upgrades
2.) Stevenson Road sidewalk and crosswalk
3.) Upgrades to accessibility pedestrian signals
4.) Smith Avenue at Pebble Brooke Road pedestrian refugee island and crosswalk.
***
Current funding for improvements in the Pikesville area:
1.) Seven Mile Lane sidewalks ($1 million)
2.) Pikesville pedestrian improvements ($500,00).
Requested funding in the FY24 capital budget ($1 million).
***
Accomplishments and short-term/medium-term goals:
-Seven Mile Lane between Old Court Road and Pikesville Middle School. First phase is to Midfield Road. Second phase is along west side of Seven Mile Lane, from Midfield Road to Old Court Road.
Total length: 1,500 LF
Total estimated cost: $300,000-$400,000
The goal is to connect sidewalk along Seven Mile Lane between Shelburne Road and Old Court Road.
***
Implementation constraints:
-Oftentimes, available right of way is limited and can prohibit the county from making improvements without approval from the adjacent property owners.
-If the county doesn’t own the right of way, need to develop plats, get title reports, appraisal and offer a letter sent to the resident.
-This process can be time consuming, especially when the owner is opposed to sidewalk.
***
Utilities and regulatory approvals:
-Overhead poles or guy wire and junction boxes may need to be relocated to allow construction.
-Stormwater management (SWM) is required for projects with disturbances greater than 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards.
-Strategies include: bioswales, runoff disconnection and property structures. Permits and approvals (from MDE, County, SCD) may also be required.
***
Next steps:
-Currently working with the county design/build contractors for low-hanging fruit (i.e. sidewalk projects that appear not to require right of way to accomplish).
These include:
1.) Lightfoot Drive from Carla Road to Old Court Road
2.) Stevenson Road from Old Forest Road to Old Post Drive
3.) South side of Old Pimlico Road from Ten Timbers Lane to Rockland Hills Drive.
Baltimore County, MD - Feb. 27, 2023 - For the last four-plus years, my staff and I have been working extremely hard and diligently with County Executive Johnny Olszewski, the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation and numerous community groups/leaders to improve the walkability and pedestrian safety concerns in the greater Pikesville area.
Last Thursday, I was pleased to share the progress we have made to date and to announce several projects already underway to keep the positive efforts moving forward.
Through the investment of more than $5.5 million in capital funding over the last couple of fiscal years, we are making great strides to meet this moment.
Many thanks to everyone who packed the Pikesville Branch Library.
Background/available funding:
-Pikesville Walkability Study was completed in March 2022 (it will soon be available on the county website).
***
DPW&T has completed the following improvements as recommended from the study:
1.) 50-plus pedestrian ramp upgrades
2.) Stevenson Road sidewalk and crosswalk
3.) Upgrades to accessibility pedestrian signals
4.) Smith Avenue at Pebble Brooke Road pedestrian refugee island and crosswalk.
***
Current funding for improvements in the Pikesville area:
1.) Seven Mile Lane sidewalks ($1 million)
2.) Pikesville pedestrian improvements ($500,00).
Requested funding in the FY24 capital budget ($1 million).
***
Accomplishments and short-term/medium-term goals:
-Seven Mile Lane between Old Court Road and Pikesville Middle School. First phase is to Midfield Road. Second phase is along west side of Seven Mile Lane, from Midfield Road to Old Court Road.
Total length: 1,500 LF
Total estimated cost: $300,000-$400,000
The goal is to connect sidewalk along Seven Mile Lane between Shelburne Road and Old Court Road.
***
Implementation constraints:
-Oftentimes, available right of way is limited and can prohibit the county from making improvements without approval from the adjacent property owners.
-If the county doesn’t own the right of way, need to develop plats, get title reports, appraisal and offer a letter sent to the resident.
-This process can be time consuming, especially when the owner is opposed to sidewalk.
***
Utilities and regulatory approvals:
-Overhead poles or guy wire and junction boxes may need to be relocated to allow construction.
-Stormwater management (SWM) is required for projects with disturbances greater than 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards.
-Strategies include: bioswales, runoff disconnection and property structures. Permits and approvals (from MDE, County, SCD) may also be required.
***
Next steps:
-Currently working with the county design/build contractors for low-hanging fruit (i.e. sidewalk projects that appear not to require right of way to accomplish).
These include:
1.) Lightfoot Drive from Carla Road to Old Court Road
2.) Stevenson Road from Old Forest Road to Old Post Drive
3.) South side of Old Pimlico Road from Ten Timbers Lane to Rockland Hills Drive.
