North Laurel Connections

Project Overview

The goal of this project is to develop an enhanced bicycle connection from the Patuxent Branch Trail trailhead at Savage Park to the North Laurel Community Center continuing to the Laurel Race Track MARC Station and the Laurel MARC Station, including a shared use pathway to improve access and connections across an existing utility right of way.

Final Design Plans

Final design plans can be viewed h ere.

In 2020, Howard County received a $510,000 grant through Maryland Bikeways for construction of portions of the North Laurel Connections Project. Construction is expected to be completed in 2022.

Community Meeting, February 2020

The Office of Transportation hosted an open-house style community meeting on February 12, 2020 at Savage Branch Library to present revised concept plans for the full route and design plans for the two pathway segments of the North Laurel Connections pedestrian and bicycle project.

Key changes from the designs previously presented include:

Proposed revisions to pavement markings on Knights Bridge Road to better accommodate parking
Revised pathway alignment across the BGE right-of-way to increase the distance from homes along Ridings Way

Materials presented at the Community Meeting can be viewed here:

North Laurel Connections Open House, 2.12.20 Materials

Previous Project History and Background

A public meeting in November 2015 allowed community members to identify preferred on/off road improvements that would provide needed access to local communities and a multi modal transportation link between North Laurel and Savage Park. The result of this mapping exercise has guided the development of the North Laurel Connections plan, and will guide the connectivity improvements, which are proposed to include a short pathway connection, sharrows, bike lanes and signage to guide cyclists and connect to destinations in the south. In November 2017, Howard County received a grant to advance the project to final design. This project phase is now underway, and will include more opportunities for the public to comment on the proposal.

Key Tasks	Status/Date
30% Design Grant Awarded	Complete
Open House	November 17, 2015
2nd Open House with 30% Design Plans	June 15, 2016
Finalize 30% Design Plans	August 2016
Submit 30% Design report	December 2016
Final Design Grant Awarded	November 2017