ELLICOTT CITY, MD – A Howard County construction project to improve pedestrian access and safety, while providing roadway improvements along Oakland Mills Road in Columbia has begun. This Oakland Mills Road Complete Street project will be done in two phases and weather permitting, is expected to be completed by mid-September.
This latest Complete Street improvement project will make it safer and easier for residents of our Oakland Mills and Owen Brown communities to get out and about, walking and biking safely to their favorite stores and restaurants, their local schools, parks and so much more. This is exactly the kind of change that we envisioned with our Complete Streets policy to make Howard County a more multi-modal community.
During Phase I, which is now underway, improvements will be made to the curbs, sidewalks and pedestrian ramps at or near the following Oakland Mills Road intersections: Kilimanjaro Road/Helen Dorsey Way; Farewell Road; Dawn Day Drive/Sewells Orchard Drive; Fairmead Lane/Loring Drive; Malindy Circle; Malindy Circle/Homespun Drive; Dasher Court; Downdale Place; and Dobbin Road. Weather permitting, this phase of the project is expected to be completed by mid-June.
Immediately following the conclusion of Phase I, crews will begin roadway work along Oakland Mills Road from Old Montgomery Road to Dobbin Road. During this phase, Oakland Mills Road will be reconfigured with the addition of a three-lane cross section with a center turn lane. Two-way protected bike lanes will also be added, as will new pedestrian crossings, and existing pedestrian crossings will be improved. These enhancements are expected to reduce vehicular speed along the roadway, improving safety for all road users. The roadway will also be resurfaced as part of the project.
Signs and temporary traffic control devices will be in place to alert motorists of the project, as temporary lane shifts and single lane closures can be expected during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
While the County and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, drivers are reminded to stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Please slow down and don’t follow too closely when traveling through a work zone. Remember, work zone safety is in your hands.
The County’s Complete Streets policy strives to ensure that Howard County is a place where individuals of all backgrounds, ages and abilities can live and travel freely, safely and comfortably whether by foot, bicycle, public transportation or automobile. The policy was adopted by the County in 2019 and new design guidance in the Complete Streets Design Manual was approved in 2022. More information about Complete Streets can be found online. Residents can also sign up to receive notices about upcoming public meetings and events related to Complete Streets or contact the County’s Office of Transportation at 410-313-4312 or email transportation@howardcountymd.gov for questions.
For questions or concerns about this work, contact Transportation at 410-313-4312 or email transportation@howardcountymd.gov.