Partnership with Howard County will Add Crossing Signals, Continental Crosswalks, Sidewalk and a Shared-Use Path for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
(September 14, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is beginning a $3.5 million project to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and mobility at four key locations on US 1 (Washington Boulevard) in North Laurel and Elkridge.
The improvements, which are expected to begin this month and be completed by summer 2024, are a priority for Howard County and are a result of a pedestrian and mobility study undertaken by the county several years ago. Howard County contributed funding toward the project’s design phase. The average daily traffic on US 1 between Brewers Court and Doctor Patel Drive ranges between 20,000 to 32,000 vehicles.
“MDOT SHA is pleased to be a safety partner with Howard County on this project. Once these upgrades are complete, they will improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to transit options and local commerce,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith. “The improvements support safety and accessibility for all users and reinforce our focus on a multi-modal approach to expand travel options.”
Improvements will take place at the following locations on US 1 and will include:
- Brewers Court – Installation of a new pedestrian-activated countdown crossing signal, a protected pedestrian refuge space in the median and new continental crosswalks;
- Guilford Road – Construction of a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists along southbound US 1 between Guilford Road and the existing sidewalk (approximately 1,100 feet to the north), new continental crosswalks and upgraded pedestrian crossing signals;
- Rowanberry Drive – Construction of new concrete sidewalk along northbound US 1 between South Hanover Road and Old Washington Road, new continental crosswalks and upgraded pedestrian crossing signals; and
- Doctor Patel Drive – Installation of a new pedestrian-activated countdown crossing signal, a protected pedestrian refuge space in the median and new continental crosswalks.
MDOT SHA’s contractor, MIM Construction of Mt. Airy, will begin the project at the Guilford Road intersection with US 1. Motorists can expect daily off-peak single-lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
For more information on the project, click
here.
Beginning October 1, 2022, the Move Over Law in Maryland will require motorists to make a lane change or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying hazard warning lights, road flares or other caution signals. The expanded law is in place to protect emergency responders and motorists who encounter a roadside emergency.
Motorists in need may dial #77 on their mobile device for roadside assistance.
For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to
Project Portal. Visit our homepage at
roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to
md511.maryland.gov.
Editor’s Note
From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders. MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.