Streets To Be Narrowed, Trails Installed Along Plumtree Park In Bel Air

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Residents of Bel Air can weigh in on the city's plans to narrow Thomas and George streets while improving traffic and pedestrian safety around Plumtree Park at a public meeting May 22 at 6 p.m. at the Bel Air Armory, 37 N. Main Street.

Property owners along the two impacted streets were notified of the plans via letter. Leaders plan to start construction in early fall with the work continuing through the end of 2024.

Thomas Street will be narrowed from a width of 40 feet to 24 feet between Kelly Avenue and Bond Street, and George Street will be narrowed between Kelly Avenue and Plumtree Park. The extra 16 feet of space on the south side of Thomas Street will be converted into a trail for pedestrians and cyclists, running between Plumtree Park and Kelly Fields at Boulton Street and Route 24.

The “chicane,” an artificial curve in Thomas Street at Western Alley meant to slow down traffic near Plumtree Park, will be removed, but the raised crosswalk on Thomas by the park will not be removed, Small said. Once complete, no parking will be allowed along Thomas Street. Any property owner whose driveway connects to Thomas will be able to keep that connection, however. No tractor-trailer trucks will be allowed on these two streets moving forward.

Bel Air Planning Director Kevin Small said that efforts will be made to keep the roads open when possible.

“The fact that the road is narrower will instantly slow down traffic,” Small said.

Anyone who has questions or concerns can contact Bel Air's planning department at 410-638-4540 or planning@belairmd.org.