​Temporary Demonstration Project Uses Traffic Calming Measures to Reduce Speed and Improve Pedestrian Safety 

BEL AIR, MD (August 26, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is partnering with the Town of Bel Air to install a temporary demonstration Complete Streets project at the intersection of MD 924 (N. Main Street) and Gordon Street. The temporary changes, designed to improve safety for pedestrians and all roadway users, involve closing a left turn onto E. Gordon Street, upgrading crosswalk markings, installing new pedestrian warning signage and pavement markings, narrowing the turn onto N. Bond Street and installing speed cushions to calm traffic. 

These temporary improvements will make pedestrians at the intersection more visible and encourage drivers to carefully navigate the area. Implementation will take place beginning Tuesday, August 27, and the features will remain in place through November as data is collected.

The initiative is part of the State Highway Administration’s partnership with local agencies and the nonprofit Smart Growth America to deploy demonstration projects this summer in areas with a known history of crashes. As efforts are made to make highways safer for multimodal use, the projects will help identify methods to control speed and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and all other users.

The Town of Bel Air received technical assistance and a $22,000 grant for this “quick build” project with a focus on addressing known safety issues and collecting data to help to advance innovative solutions to accommodate all modes and improve safety for everyone. 

The Town of Bel Air developed the project through the Smart Growth America Complete Streets Leadership Academy, which provides workshops and other resources. Other areas deploying quick build projects through the academy partnership include Howard County and the City of Hagerstown in Washington County. Learn more here. 

This initiative advances Maryland’s new Complete Streets ​policy, a program of the Moore-Miller Administration dedicated to reducing traffic crashes and fatalities by creating a safe environment for all road users.