$3.5M To Improve 4 Intersections Along U.S. 1 In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — An estimated $3.5 million in federal funding will be used to make safety improvements at four intersections along nine miles of U.S. 1 (Washington Boulevard) in Howard County. The intersections were identified as needing improvements for pedestrian safety through a corridor safety study led by Howard County.

“US 1 is a very heavily traveled corridor and this projects reflects MDOT’s commitment to provide a safe, efficient and interconnected network for every mode of travel: cars, buses, rail, bicycles, pedestrians and others,” MDOT Secretary Greg Slater said. “Working with our partners in local government and the community – along with safety advocates and other stakeholders – we will continue to create and support mobility solutions for this highly-populated area.”

Howard County is providing consultant design funding for the project and MDOT SHA will cover the costs of internal review and design approval. The project is expected to complete the design phase this year with construction scheduled to start in spring 2022.

“Once completed, this project will improve access, connectivity to area commerce and local transit, and help people get where they want to go safely,” MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith said. “By filling in the missing links in this area’s sidewalk network, MDOT SHA is supporting economic development and our long-term transportation vision.”

Work will stretch along nine miles of US 1 from North Laurel to Elkridge and include improvements at several key intersections:

• Brewers Court – installation of a new pedestrian-activated signal, a protected 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 sidewalk approximately 1,100 feet to the north, new continental crosswalks and upgraded pedestrian crossing signals.
• Rowanberry Drive – construction of a new sidewalk along northbound US 1 between South Hanover Road and Old Washington Road, new continental crosswalks and upgraded pedestrian crossing signals.
• Doctor Patel Drive – installation of a new pedestrian-activated signal, a protected space in the median and new continental crosswalks.