$4M Secured For Route 29 Connector, For Park Improvements In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County has secured $4 million in state funding for the Route 29 North-South Jug Handle Connector project in Columbia, along with another $250,000 for improvements at two county parks.

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved the funding this week as part of $8.4 million allocated to counties and Baltimore City for transportation, recreation and infrastructure projects.

The $4 million grant will support the Route 29 North-South Jug Handle Connector, a transportation project intended to improve access between Route 29, Broken Land Parkway and Little Patuxent Parkway in downtown Columbia.

The project is part of the county's Downtown Columbia Plan, which outlines transportation improvements designed to accommodate growth and improve connections throughout the area.

The connector provides a more direct route into the Merriweather District, including businesses, residential developments and entertainment destinations near Merriweather Post Pavilion.

A portion of the connection opened to drivers in December 2024, providing access to downtown Columbia from northbound Route 29 through the Broken Land Parkway interchange. The newly approved funding can be used for planning, design, construction, repairs and other improvements associated with the project.

The grant was previously authorized by the Maryland General Assembly as part of the state's 2026 capital budget and does not require matching funds from Howard County.

The latest announcement did not specify which remaining phases of the connector project will receive the funding or provide an updated construction timeline.

In addition to the transportation funding, the Board of Public Works approved two grants for improvements at Howard County parks.

Font Hill Wetland Park will receive $200,000 for improvements that include paving and replacement of a pedestrian bridge. The funding was previously approved in the state's 2026 capital budget.

Rockburn Branch Park in Elkridge will receive $50,000 toward a new restroom facility. That funding was previously authorized as part of the state's 2025 capital budget.

Neither park grant requires matching funds from the county.

The three grants total $4.25 million, representing more than half of the $8.4 million in funding approved statewide this week.