Finksburg Corridor Plan - Carroll County Government

Finksburg Corridor Plan
2. Implement the proposed roadway projects contained in this plan
Ever-mounting traffic volumes and concerns about traffic safety along the MD 140 corridor
in Finksburg mean that a comprehensive approach to regulating access, flow and capacity is
becoming critical. The roadway projects proposed in this plan will create essential
connections that not only will improve traffic safety, circulation, and capacity, but also will
be the impetus for redevelopment, particularly in the gatewayGateway area.
Extension of Dede Road – The purpose of this new roadway is to create a connection
between MD 140 and Old Westminster Pike to facilitate the critical “rear access” condition
needed to limit or close access points on MD 140 for businesses fronting on that road. The
new road would align across from Dede Road at the signalized intersection on MD 140. It
would be approximately 264 feet in length, closed-section, and would have sidewalk on both
sides of the road. The construction of this road is envisioned as a publicly-funded capital
project. Essential to the safety and effectiveness of this roadway project will be the
concurrent analysis of traffic flow throughout the corridor and the implementation of access
management strategies. This will be important to ensuring the safety of travelers on Old
Westminster Pike and to minimizing undue congestion on this portion of the roadway.
Walnut Park Internal Circulation Road – The purpose of this new roadway is to create an
internal means of circulation through the industrial/commercial area located on the north side
of MD 140 between Liberty Reservoir and Dede Road. This would create greater opportunity
for redevelopment, and would allow for an alternate means of access to properties fronting
on MD 140 so that existing direct access onto that road eventually can be limited or closed
altogether. The new road would have one point of access from MD 140 at its eastern
terminus (preferably right-in/right-out), and would connect to Dede Road at its western
terminus, allowing traffic to access MD 140 at a signalized intersection. This road would be
approximately 2,640 feet in length, closed-section, with sidewalk on both sides of the road.
Although an open-section roadway in this area could have benefits for stormwater
management, this type of section would require a much greater right-of-way width that could
limit the development potential of properties fronting on the road. An open-section road also
makes it more difficult to locate sidewalk within the right-of-way. Sidewalk is envisioned for
this area to promote pedestrian connections between individual sites and is a mandated SHA
requirement to promote ADA compliance.
Improvements to Old Westminster Pike – The purpose of this project is to make
improvements to Old Westminster Pike that would enhance the functionality, aesthetics, and
pedestrian accessibility of the roadway. This is particularly important given that it will
function as a primary means of access to businesses if/when access directly off of MD 140 is
limited. The project would include approximately 5,544 feet of roadway and consist of
resurfacing and construction of sidewalk, curb and gutter.
MD 140/MD 91 Intersection Improvements Feasibility Study and Access Management
Study – These studies are described in more detail above.
Approved by Carroll County Planning & Zoning Commission - October 2010Revised Draft – November 2012 ♦ 50
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