Good afternoon,
Thank you for contacting the Office of County Executive Calvin Ball expressing opposition to the State Highway Administration’s (SHA) proposed changes to the Rivers Edge intersection. County Executive Ball shares your safety concerns and is committed to ensuring this intersection remains safe for motorists and our children. Despite our collective advocacy, County Executive Ball’s concerns and that of our Rivers Edge community remain.
As you know, US29 is a state road maintained by MDOT SHA, not the County. Today, County Executive Ball has written a letter to Acting Secretary Gregory Slater, which I’ve attached for your convenience. Please feel free to share with your neighbors and within your network.
Prior to the February 13 SHA public meeting, County Executive Ball is requesting SHA provide his Administration and the residents of the Rivers Edge community with the following information:
1. An analysis of traffic volumes and crashes, including information on the most recent fatalities under the current configuration, projected crashes at the reconfigured entrance and interchanges that would be impacted by new travel patterns under any proposed plans; and
2. The costs and benefits of operational improvements; including the prohibition of U-turns from Northbound 29 to Southbound 29, signal improvements (including increased delays between the red phase on US 29 and the green phase for turns) and the installation of a red-light camera and other enhanced warnings on US 29 Southbound.
Within the next 30 days, County Executive Ball has requested the following information:
1. Potential mid-range cost options for improved vehicle access that could be considered;
2. Potential options fro non-motorized access the community and the County could consider in partnership with MDOT
3. Potential date of when the longer-term solution can be included in the Consolidated Transportation Program.
In addition to the MDOT letter, County Executive Ball has long advocated to SHA for safety improvements at the River’s Edge intersection. This is reflected in the County’s Transportation Priority Letter to SHA which lists the River's Edge project as the #1 capital and construction priority for 2019 (US 29 from the Middle Patuxent River to Seneca Drive widening, including access improvements to the Rivers Edge Community, and accommodations for BRT). The 2019 letter is available online (https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/County-Administration/Transportation/Transportation-Projects).
In an effort to promote a collaborative and transparent process with our residents, the County is currently developing its 2021 Transportation Priority Letter to the State and welcomes your feedback. The County will host a Priority Letter public meeting on Thursday February 20, 2020 from 5-8pm in the Columbia/Ellicott City Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive in Ellicott City. If your schedule permits, we hope you will join us and share feedback on major and minor projects for the county funding request to MDOT SHA.
To learn more about the process and review additional information, please visit: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/County-Administration/Transportation/Transportation-Projects/Priority-Letter
Residents can submit comments and feedback through February 28, 2020 by emailing dcookson@howardcountymd.gov or completing our online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5B8L33C
On behalf of County Executive Ball, we appreciate you keeping us apprised of your concerns and hope you have found this information helpful.
Warm regards,
Kimberly Pruim
Director
Constituent Services and Community Partnerships
Office of County Executive Calvin Ball
