Baltimore Road represents a major link for the east side of the City to Rockville Town Center. The primary goal of the project is to provide improved connectivity for multiple modes of transportation along this 2.3-mile corridor from the City limits, just east of Rockville High School, to the Rockville Town Center.
This effort will also increase the accessibility for the residents of nearby neighborhoods to the institutional areas along the corridor and to the Rockville Metro Station. View an interactive map of the entire Baltimore Road Project.
The first part of the project encompasses several sections of road, including Middle Lane and Park Road between Maryland Avenue and Grandin Avenue; S. Stonestreet Avenue between Park Road and Baltimore Road; Baltimore Road between S. Stonestreet Avenue and First Street; Grandin Avenue between Park Road and First Street; and First Street between Grandin Avenue and Baltimore Road. View an interactive map of Part One of the project.
Goal
To implement spot improvements that would enhance safety for pedestrian and bicycle travel and would also, where possible, increase accessibility to bus stops for public transit users.
The existing bicycle route, primarily along Grandin Avenue, as well as the other corridors mentioned above have been studied and recommendations have been provided for making safety and accessibility improvements.
After review and consideration of the recommendations, the following improvements will be included in this part of the project:
Park Road between South Stonestreet Avenue and Grandin Avenue - Reconstruct pedestrian ramps at Grandin Avenue at Park Road to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Make sure the connection from the dead end on Grandin Avenue to the sidewalk on Park Road is adequate and ADA accessible.
- Upgrade the existing pedestrian crossing signs along Park Road to pedestrian and bicyclist warning signs.
- Replace the existing steel plates, which extend over curb slots within the sidewalk, to improve the sidewalk condition, but still have an effective means of stormwater conveyance.
Baltimore Road between South Stonestreet Avenue and South Horners Lane - Provide bump outs on Baltimore Road at Grandin Avenue. Provide one crosswalk on the eastern leg of the intersection.
- Reconstruct the pedestrian ramps at all four corners of Grandin Avenue and Baltimore Road to be ADA compliant.
- Upgrade the existing pedestrian and bicyclist warning signs along Baltimore Road, near Grandin Avenue.
- Provide bump outs on Baltimore Road at South Horners Lane. Provide one crosswalk on the western leg of the intersection.
- Reconstruct the pedestrian ramps that cross South Horners Lane at Baltimore Road to be ADA compliant.
- Upgrade the existing pedestrian crossing warning signs along Baltimore Road near South Horners Lane.
Intersection of Baltimore Road and First Street/MD Route 28 (Norbeck Road) - Construct sidewalk connections from the intersection to the north, making connections to the nearby bus stops.
- Re-align the sidewalk north of Baltimore Road from the roadside of First Street. Remove existing sidewalk leg that leads pedestrians to cross Baltimore Road away from the intersection and crosswalk.
This part of the project involves the 1.25-mile section of Baltimore Road between First Street and the City limits.
View an interactive map of Part Two of the project.
Goal
To improve the road section, using the City standard where possible, and adding curb and gutter and new drainage systems.
Proposed Improvements:
- install curb and gutter
- install storm drain inlets and pipes
- resurface the road
- apply stormwater management practices for new or replaced impervious area
- improve the alignment where it will be a benefit for vehicular travel and drainage
- add sidewalks where they currently do not exist, where possible
- extend the shared use path from the Calvin Park to the Millennium Trail at the intersection of First Street
- improve accessibility to bus stops along the corridor
Other items that will be evaluated for possible improvements include trees, street lighting and the existing pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the Calvin Stream.
Project Timeline - Surveying – December 2009 – February 2010
- Initial Public Meeting – February 3, 2010
- Preliminary Design – Completed summer 2010
- Second Public Meeting – September 29, 2010
- Third Public Meeting – Spring/Summer 2012
- Final Design – Expected completion in spring 2012
- Construction – Expected to begin in Summer/Fall 2012
Project Status
Both parts of the project are under final design. The design will be completed once all of the necessary right-of-way and temporary construction easements have been acquired. The City will likely use the Maryland State Highway Administration as a consultant for this. The projects uses federal funding, and therefore federal law for the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (as amended) will be followed. Two public parks have been identified in the project area: Calvin Park and Rockville Civic Center Park. The project will construct a shared use path along the edge of Calvin Park adjacent Baltimore Road. As part of the proposed roadway and pedestrian improvement, small portions of right-of-way must also be acquired from Rockville Civic Center Park. The project team is coordinating with the City of Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks. The project will not adversely affect the activities, features or attributes of either Calvin Park or Rockville Civic Center Park.
Following the City's review of the preliminary plans, an open house for the public was held Sept. 29, 2010, in order to display the preliminary design for Part Two, and the concept plans for Part One. The open house also provided an opportunity for the public to engage the project team with questions and provide comments before beginning final design. View the exhibits from the open house (8MB PDF), including the Part Two preliminary design plans.
As part of the project, some trees will need to be removed. It is the intent of the project team to keep tree impacts to a minimum, especially on private property. Tree planting is included in the project and will be coordinated with the City's Forestry Division. Planting will be planned in accordance to the City's Tree Master Plan and with consideration of the proximity to utilities.
Funding
Rockville received $4 million in federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration. The City is required to contribute at least 20% of the project total as stipulated in the terms of the funding agreement. The City contribution for the project will be from the project's Capital Improvement Program fund.
Environmental Requirements
As this project uses federal funds, it is subject to compliance with the requirements of federal and state laws to ensure the environment is protected.
Laws that must be complied with include, but are not limited to the following: - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
- Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act
- Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
- Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
- Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (LWCFA)
- Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and Atlantic Coastal bays Critical Area Protection Program
- Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Executive Order 12898, Environmental Justice
Consistent with these regulations, the public is encouraged to provide additional information on historic properties and environmental resources within the project area.
For more specific information on the environmental requirements, please see the "Environmental Documentation for Local Government Projects" published by the Maryland State Highway Administration at the following link: http://www.mdot.state.md.us/Planning/Economic_Recovery/LG_Guidance.pdf.
Contact Information
For more information on the project, or if you have any questions, please contact: - Andrew Luetkemeier, Project Manager, City of Rockville Civil Engineer II, at 240-314-8524 or via e-mail at aluetkemeier@rockvillemd.gov
- Hjarman Cordero, City of Rockville Neighborhood Resources Coordinator, at 240-314-8344 or via e-mail at hcordero@rockvillemd.gov
02/09/2012 |
