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In this issue:

• Last call for comments on the Patapsco Regional Greenway Skyesville to McKelden Preferred Alternative 
• Harford County Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Open for Comment
• Baltimore County Seeks Input on Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan  
• Dobbin Road Complete Streets Improvement Plan Public Meeting
• Walktober Continues Through October 31 
• BRTB Considers Public Feedback on Resilience 2050 Goals and Strategies 
• USDOT Hosts Virtual Sessions on Justice40 Initiative
• Save the Date: Maryland Brownfields Conference 
• Chesapeake Connect Podcast: Reflections On Our Region 

LAST CALL FOR COMMENTS ON PATAPSCO REGIONAL GREENWAY SYKESVILLE TO MCKELDIN PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) invites the public to learn more about the proposed alignments for a new section of the Patapsco Regional Greenway in Carroll County and share their thoughts by Friday, October 29. 

In 2017, the BRTB approved a concept plan for the Patapsco Regional Greenway, which will be used by bicyclists, hikers, runners, walkers, and in some locations, equestrians. To date, over 12 miles of the greenway have been completed.

Now, the BRTB seeks your input on the preferred alignments for the Sykesville to McKeldin Segment, which will add another 8.5 miles to the greenway.  

Learn more about the Sykesville to McKeldin Segment 

HARFORD COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN OPEN FOR COMMENT 

Harford County has released a draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for public comment through Saturday, October 30.

The draft plan analyzes local corridors and lays out 220 bicycle and pedestrian plans to guide capital planning and review of development proposals for years to come.

The draft plan is available to review via an interactive website. Members of the public can share their bike and pedestrian planning ideas by uploading pictures, taking a short survey, or adding comments to a map.   

Review the draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

BALTIMORE COUNTY SEEKS INPUT ON BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN 

The Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) is requesting input through Sunday, November 14 from County residents to inform Baltimore County's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

The County has provided three ways for the public to offer feedback:

1. A new online survey which asks residents to help the County identify streets or intersections where active transportation facility improvements are needed and identify current use of and experiences when using active transportation facilities.
    
2. Residents may also use an online interactive tool to map their ideas for bicycle and pedestrian improvements in Baltimore County.
    
3. Community members may also provide written comment with ideas or questions.

The Baltimore County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan will provide important updates to the County's existing Eastern and Western Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Plans, which were developed nearly 15 years ago.

Members of the public are invited to learn more at these virtual community workshops: 

• Tuesday, October 26 from Noon to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 27 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, October 30 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

Learn more or add your ideas to the map

DOBBIN ROAD COMPLETE STREETS IMPROVEMENT PLAN PUBLIC MEETING 

The Howard County Office of Transportation will be hosting a virtual public meeting on Thursday, October 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss design plans for Complete Streets improvements along Dobbin Road in Columbia. 

Improvements include a shared use pathway, new sidewalk segments and signalized pedestrian crossings. The segments along Dobbin Road to be discussed extend from Oakland Mills Road to Old Dobbin Lane.

This project supports Howard County’s Complete Streets policy to make our roads safe and usable by all modes of transportation, which in turn, promotes community health, sustainability and fiscal soundness. The recommendation also implements portions of Howard County’s Bicycle Master Plan, BikeHoward and Pedestrian Master Plan, WalkHoward. 
 
To pre-register for this meeting and/or review design plans and the construction schedule for the different segments of the project, visit the project webpage. You can also share your feedback through Thursday, November 11.  

Learn more or register for this public meeting

WALKTOBER CONTINUES THROUGH OCTOBER 31 

October in Maryland becomes WALKTOBER, a month where the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other partnering agencies promote and host events and webinars spotlighting Maryland pedestrians' safety, health, and commuting options in current walk programs and Initiatives.

Walktober is also a celebration of Maryland’s official exercise and a call to action to promote walking for improved health for residents of all ages and abilities. 

Walktober features events, including several webinars focused on walking and moving. Check out these upcoming walkinar's:

• Thursday, October 21 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon - Walkinar #3: Pedestrian Safety: Trends, Measures, and Solutions
   
• Thursday, October 28 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon - Walkinar #4: Great Partners and Creative Approaches for Promoting Safe Walk Opportunities

Learn more or register for a webinar 

BRTB CONSIDERS PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON RESILIENCE 2050 GOALS AND STRATEGIES 

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) would like to thank all the individuals who took time to review and comment on the draft goals and strategies for Resilience 2050: Adapting to the Challenges of Tomorrow.

Over 1,500 people reviewed the goals and 35 participants generated over 165 comments.  View comments received

Staff are currently working with BRTB and Technical Committee members to review the wealth of feedback received.  In November, the BRTB will consider a resolution approving a final set of goals and strategies. The Technical Committee will review the final goals and strategies on Tuesday, November 2 at 9:30 a.m. and the BRTB is scheduled for a final vote at their meeting on Tuesday, November 30 at 9 a.m. Comments are welcome during the public comment opportunity at the BRTB meeting (General comments are welcome at the beginning, comments on specific resolutions are to be made during discussion of that item). Both meetings are open to the public and will be livestreamed via GoToMeeting.   

View the Draft Resilience2050 Draft Goals and Strategies 

USDOT HOSTS VIRTUAL SESSIONS ON JUSTICE40 INITIATIVE 

The U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) will host two virtual public meetings related to the Justice40 Initiative to share information and solicit public feedback. 

The Justice40 Initiative is an effort to address equity and climate change.  The program aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities.  

USDOT will host sessions as follows.  Advanced registration is required.

• Session #1: Tuesday November 9, from Noon to 1 p.m. - This first session will introduce the Justice40 initiative and discuss the benefits that transportation investments can bring to disadvantaged communities.  
   
• Session #2: Tuesday, November 16, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. - This second session will ask participants to provide input on the types of data and metrics that USDOT can use to develop a framework for transportation programs impacting communities.

Learn more or Register

CHESAPEAKE CONNECT PODCAST: REFLECTIONS ON OUR REGION

Every fall, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council leads Chesapeake Connect, an immersive program that brings Baltimore’s leaders to explore the ins and outs of a peer region during a three day learning experience.

Because of the pandemic, last year’s program was put on hold. Like everything else right now BMC had to find a way to run this program from home. The solution? The Chesapeake Connect podcast about the Baltimore region. 

Launched in late January, the Chesapeake Connect Podcast pairs members of BMC’s board with program alumni to explore issues and stories that shape life here in Baltimore.

Produced by WYPR and hosted by “Midday’s” Tom Hall, this bi-weekly series is a chance to think about our region.  

Listen to the Chesapeake Connect Podcast