Thank you for subscribing!  B'more Involved promotes civic engagement in local and regional transportation, planning, and equity. This important information - also posted on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) - is a great way for you to learn more, stay up-to-date on important events and news, and let you know how you can B'more Involved! 

In this issue:

• Help Shape the Future of the Patapsco Regional Greenway 
• Baltimore City DOT Wants to Hear What You Have to Say
• Help Design the Masonville Cove Connector
• MDTA Holds Open Houses on I-695 Project 
• Maryland Department of Planning Hosts Webinar on Trails
• MDOT Offers the Public Several Ways To Be Involved In Planning the Future of Transportation  
• Be the Driver Who Saves Lives - Slow Down and Move Over
   

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE PATAPSCO REGIONAL GREENWAY 

In 2017, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) approved a plan for the Patapsco Regional Greenway (PRG). The PRG will be a 40-mile trail running through the Patapsco Valley from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to Sykesville in Carroll County. The PRG will be used by bicyclists, walkers, runners and (in some places) wheelchair users. Over 12 miles of the greenway have already been completed.

Now, we want to hear from you about a 5.5 mile trail from Guinness Open Gate Brewery to Southwest Area Park in Baltimore County. We listened to public input on where the trail should go and now we’d like you to help us with what kinds of amenities would make a great trail. The design of the trail will make it safe and comfortable for pedestrians and bicyclists. 

A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Arbutus Branch, Baltimore County Public Library (855 Sulphur Spring Rd, Arbutus, MD 21227) to share information, answer questions and receive public comments. A recording of the presentation will also be posted to the project webpage.

Comments are welcome through December 5, 2023. The public can share comments at the public meeting, by text, via voicemail, on the project webpage, and the survey and interactive map on the project StoryMap.

Visit publicinput.com/PRG to learn more or share a comment
 

BALTIMORE CITY DOT WANTS TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY
Streets of Baltimore is an initiative of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) that promotes community engagement with all of their projects.  

Currently, BCDOT is collecting public feedback and community stories as part of the West Baltimore United - A Reconnecting Communities Planning Study. In February, the City of Baltimore received $2 million in federal funding for this project through the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

The Highway to Nowhere is a remnant of past efforts to connect Interstate 70 with Interstates 83 and 95 around Baltimore’s Central Business District. However, those highway connections were never completed. Ultimately, the strong community advocacy of neighborhoods prevailed; but not before the West Baltimore section of Route 40 was constructed, thus earning the local moniker “the Highway to Nowhere." Roughly 50 years later, the road remains a physical and symbolic barrier to progress, dividing large swaths of West Baltimore that were once connected. 

Members of the public are invited to participate by taking a survey or adding a West Baltimore story. 

Visit streetsofbaltimore.com to participate

HELP SELECT THE DESIGN OF THE MASONVILLE COVE CONNECTOR

The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) is pleased to present a series of design concepts for the Masonville Cove Connector, a trail to improve access to the Masonville Cove Urban Wildlife Refuge. In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MPA has developed these concepts and is seeking community members’ feedback to inform the selection of the final concept.

Community members are invited to learn more and share their thoughts at an open house on Monday, November 6 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Brooklyn Library (300 E Patapsco Ave, Baltimore, MD 21225). 

Can’t make it to the event? Check out the information about the Connector online and share your feedback through a survey! 

Learn more about the Masonville Cove Connector

MDTA HOLDS OPEN HOUSES ON I-695 PROJECT 
The Maryland Transportation Authority Board recently approved a $33.2 million contract for the I-695 Repairs and Rehabilitation project at Sparrows Point near Bear Creek in Baltimore County. Expected to begin major construction early in 2024, this system preservation project is necessary to address settlement of I-695 that has occurred since it was widened to a multi-lane, median-divided highway in the 1990s. Additional work also will be completed to rehabilitate and enhance the safety of I-695 in this area. 

The MDTA will hold two open houses for the public to learn more about this project: 

• Thursday, November 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fleming Senior Center  (641 Main St., Dundalk, MD 21222)
• Wednesday, November 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wells McComas VFW (6521 North Point Road, Sparrows Point, MD 2121)

Learn more and review open house materials

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING HOSTS WEBINAR ON TRAILS

If your doorstep were a trailhead, how would you experience your city? Despite the known health benefits of walking, many people don’t have pleasant, safe places to walk.

Greenways expert Robert Searns wants to change that. He envisions communities that provide more accessible pathways, wide enough for two people to stroll together, that stitch together urban and suburban areas. 

Join the Maryland Department of Planning on Tuesday, October 31 at 1 p.m. for Beyond Greenways: The Next Step for City Trails and Walking Routes Smart Growth Network webinar. 

During this event, Robert will discuss the tools needed to develop successful and affordable plans for more trails. He'll include how to envision them to fit various settings and strategies for implementation while taking your specific questions.

Register for this event

MDOT OFFERS THE PUBLIC SEVERAL WAYS TO BE INVOLVED IN PLANNING THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION  

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is currently developing several plans in which the public can review and weigh in on.  

The Draft MDOT Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) has been drafted and officials are visiting jurisdictions around the state to collect feedback. The CTP includes detailed listings and descriptions of the capital transportation projects that are proposed for construction, or for development and evaluation during the next six-year period. Remaining meetings in our region are: 

• Monday, October 30 at 6 p.m. 
  Ellicott City and Online 
   
• Wednesday, November 1 at 10 a.m. 
  Harford County 
   
• Thursday, November 2 at 2 p.m. 
  Carroll Co. Government Office Building and Online 
   
• Tuesday, November 14 at 2 p.m. 
  Arundel Center and Online 

Visit mdot.maryland.gov to learn more or see the CTP

The 2050 Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP), which is Maryland’s long-range transportation plan and is being referred to as the “The Playbook” is open for comment through November 20, 2023. The Playbook provides more than 75 strategies to guide the state's transportation vision and investment priorities successfully for years to come. 

Learn more at mdot.maryland.gov

The Maryland Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) is being updated by MDOT. The BPMP focuses on updating policies and practices to make it safer and more convenient to walk, roll and scoot. The draft BPMP is now available for public comment through November 20, 2023. 

Share a comment at 2050marylandbpmp.com 

BE THE DRIVER WHO SAVES LIVES - MOVE OVER AND SLOW DOWN

It’s Maryland Law to change lanes or slow down when approaching ANY stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying warning signals – including hazard warning lights, road flares, or other caution signals including traffic cones, caution signs, or non-vehicular warning signs.

This includes moving over for emergency, law enforcement, tow truck, utility, and other vehicles while they are stopped, standing, or parked on a highway with their red, amber, or yellow lights flashing. If it is not safe or feasible to move over, motorists must slow down to a safe speed. 

The expanded law is in place to protect law enforcement, emergency responders, and any motorist that may encounter a roadside emergency and must stop near travel lanes.

Learn more at zerodeathsmd.gov