Transportation 'Concerns Will be Ignored,' Say Readers

For those seeking transportation options in Elkridge, citizens have said the selection leaves much to be desired. The bus system is unwieldy, say residents, and pedestrian infrastructure isn't available in critical spots.

Howard Transit, which operates the bus service in Howard County, is "an inconvenience" that can result in waiting for hours for connections, according to Elkridge resident Christopher Dick.

"They drive like maniacs on the road and they either speed or they are always running late," said Dick, who recently .

Others said that pedestrian infrastructure for Elkridge wasn't considered.

"There are a large number of people who could easily walk to Elkridge Corners, if only Hanover Road had a sidewalk or path to enable walkers," said Doug Kornreich on a recent  on Elkridge Patch.

Sidewalks were installed on US 1 near Troy Hill over the last year, as part of the Department of Planning and Zoning’s Route 1 revitalization program, according to the Department of Public Works, which received federal funds for the project.

"A restriction of the grant was that the funding could not be used to acquire land," said Steve Sharar, chief of transportation and special projects for the county's Department of Public Works. 

Since the county could only install sidewalks where it owned the right of way, the sidewalk coverage was limited.

"The county hopes to use other funding to complete connecting sections of sidewalk after acquisition of the right to install the other sidewalk sections is received," said Sharar.

Residents said this was not enough.

"As it is typical with governments, we are building castles instead of serving people," said David Maier in response to  on new transportation leadership under the county executive.

"Name one thing anybody in the county has done to improve the transportation situation. I'll have to wait a long time for a response," Ralphie. "Attend any Zoning Board hearing where a big project is being discussed, and you will hear ordinary, everyday residents testify about traffic concerns....Their concerns will be ignored..."

What transportation improvements would you like to see in Elkridge? Tell us in the comments.

On Thursday, the administrator of the Office of Transportation, John Powell, will be speaking at the Howard County Transportation Advocates meeting from 7:45–9 a.m. at the Bain Center (5470 Ruth Keeton Way) in Columbia.