ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that the County has been awarded a transformational $4 million grant from the State of Maryland for the construction of a critical 1.4-mile shared use pathway along the east side of Dobbin Road from Oakland Mills Road to MD 175. This funding builds on the County’s recent efforts to create a more robust, accessible, and inclusive transportation system for all users.
The Dobbin Road project helps build on our collective goal of creating an environment where our residents of all ages and abilities can safely connect to schools, parks, neighborhoods, and key destinations across Howard County. Together, we will continue our efforts to expand multimodal infrastructure throughout the county. I’m grateful to Governor Wes Moore and his Administration for providing this critical funding which will allow our residents to access various modes of transportation along a key transportation corridor.
The Dobbin Road project was awarded funding through Maryland Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). This funding is the largest State grant ever awarded to the County for a bicycle and pedestrian project, and it is the second highest funded TAP project in the State of Maryland this year.
When complete, this project will include:
- A 10-foot-wide shared use pathway that extends along the entire length of Dobbin Road, from Oakland Mills Road to Snowden River Parkway. State funding will support construction of the initial phase of this project from Oakland Mills Road to MD 175.
- New sidewalks on segments of the west side of Dobbin Road, McGaw Road, and Oakland Mills Road between Dobbin Road and Oakhall Lane.
- Seven new pedestrian crosswalks at four existing signalized intersections.
Construction on this project is anticipated to begin in FY2025.
We are thankful for the State’s support in extending our Complete Streets efforts in this area, building on our nationally-recognized Oakland Mills Road Complete Streets project. Once completed, this project will allow multimodal access to jobs, education, shopping, restaurants, residences, the Howard County Health Department, transit, a bike shop, and a post office in one of the busiest commercial corridors in Howard County.
Earlier this year, Howard County became the first jurisdiction in the nation to receive a perfect score from Smart Growth America for its Complete Streets Policy. This recognition reflects the County’s strong commitment to multimodal transportation projects and safety improvements. To carry this vision forward, County Executive Ball allocated $13.2 million toward Complete Streets in the FY24 Capital Budget, which includes $500,000 in County funding for the Dobbin Road project.
In August, Ball also announced the County had completed or were close to completing more than 85 infrastructure improvements to increase access to transportation and ease congestion. Among the 85 projects are 20 new crosswalks, sidewalk improvements, pathways, ADA upgrades, and signage projects.
To learn more about the Dobbin Road project, please visit: www.howardcountymd.gov/transportation/dobbin-road-pathway.