BALTIMORE — The Hamilton Community has been renovated with a new look that improves pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety in the area.
Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young and Baltimore City Department of Transportation Acting Director Steve Sharkey were joined by Senator Mary Washington, Councilman Ryan Dorsey, MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn, elected officials, community stakeholders, local businesses and area residents to celebrate the completion of the "Road Diet" installation in the community.
“This roadway reconfiguration is a cost-effective solution that addresses traffic safety concerns for the benefit of all roadway users,” said Mayor Young. “The completion of this streetscape project will provide a much safer environment with improved walkability to local businesses here in the Hamilton Business District and will help to revitalize Harford Road’s Main Street community.”
The updated community features a reduction of travel lanes in the Hamilton Business District to calm traffic. It also includes bike lanes and pedestrian improvements such as newly painted bump-outs which highlight the separation of pedestrian space from the roadway. Floating bus platforms were also installed to allow transit service to stop away from the curb where they will not have to wait to re-enter the flow of traffic.
“The Hamilton Business District Streetscape Project represents the first city project to utilize quick-build treatments that drastically change the character and feel of a Main Street corridor,” said Sharkey. “Traffic safety is a top priority for DOT, and we will continue our efforts to implement improvements that make city streets safer for all users of the transportation system.”
The City of Baltimore received $400,000 in special funding for the project from the State of Maryland.
