ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The Howard County Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a community outreach meeting on Monday, January 27th from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Chesapeake Room at the North Laurel Community Center, to discuss plans to install a new sidewalk (Capital Project K-5063) and upgrade a portion of the water main (Capital Project W-8333) along North Laurel Road. The inclement-weather date for the above-referenced meeting is Monday, February 3rd, at the same time and location.
Capital Project K-5063 aims to facilitate safer travel for local commuters, bicyclists and pedestrians to the Route 1 corridor by implementing pedestrian improvements along North Laurel Road, from Linville Avenue to US 1 southbound. Consistent with the County’s Complete Streets policy, the project’s proposed design improvements in this area, include the installation of:
- A sidewalk to enhance pedestrian mobility;
- New signage and roadway striping to facilitate safer bicycle mobility; and
- Storm drainage, stormwater management facilities, and landscaping along the proposed sidewalk.
“Sidewalks create neighborhood connections and provide our residents safe and healthy transportation options,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “To help us expand multimodal transportation in Howard County, including in our North Laurel community, my Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget included $14.7 million in County funding for sidewalks, bike lanes, pathways and other Complete Streets infrastructure that makes projects like this possible.”
With regard to Capital Project W-8333, having originally been installed in the 1960’s, water mains in the area are beginning to experience a higher breakage rate. The purpose of this transformational capital project is to update the existing water main along North Laurel Road, between Linville Avenue and southbound US 1, to improve the system’s strength and dependability.
The designs of these projects are being completed in coordination with Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration’s (SHA) US 1 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) project. Construction of the two capital projects will be performed sequentially and in advance of SHA’s PSAP project’s construction. Capital Project K-5063 and W-8333 construction is expected to begin in fall 2025 and, weather permitting, be completed by spring 2026.
While there will be no formal presentation, the design plans will be available for public viewing and staff members will be on hand to explain the proposed work, answer any questions and gather public comments.
Those unable to attend the meeting or who would like to view the plans and/or have questions, should contact Jacob Taylor at 410-313-6145 or email jataylor@howardcountymd.gov for Capital Project K-5063 and George Gibson at 4100-313-6194 or email ggibson@howardcountymd.gov for Capital Project W-8333.
An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available if requested seven working days prior to the meeting. Please call DPW at 410-313-3440 (voice) or use Relay at 7-1-1, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For questions or more information regarding Capital Project K-5063 or W-8333, contact Public Works Customer Service at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov