Maryland Highways Slated for Pedestrian Safety Upgrades

Route 40 in Catonsville among state roads targeted for improvements

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Maryland transportation officials have announced plans to upgrade several state highways, including a three-mile stretch of Route 40 in Catonsville, to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The improvements are part of the state's Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and could include better sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and traffic calming measures.

Why it matters

The planned upgrades aim to better integrate state highways with the surrounding communities, moving away from a historical focus on motorists. This reflects a broader shift towards prioritizing the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.

The details

The Route 40 project will focus on sections from Charing Cross Roads to the Beltway and from Nuwood Drive to the Beltway. Planned upgrades could include improved sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, intersections, and traffic calming measures. The Maryland State Highway Administration will gather community feedback before finalizing the design and beginning construction, which is expected to take 2.5 to 3 years.

  • The planned upgrades are part of the state's Pedestrian Safety Action Plan.
  • The Route 40 project in Catonsville will focus on sections from Charing Cross Roads to the Beltway and from Nuwood Drive to the Beltway.

The players

Will Pines

Maryland state highway administrator.

Katie Thomson

Acting secretary for the Maryland Department of Transportation.

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What they’re saying

“Historically, state highways have really been built for motorists, to get people from point A to B. But they weren't always designed in a way that really integrated well with the communities that those roads went through.”

— Will Pines, Maryland state highway administrator (WMAR-2 News)

“SHA's work on upgrading crosswalks, and intersections, addressing unsafe speeds and adding bike lanes has increased the visibility of our most vulnerable users: those who walk, bike and roll.”

— Katie Thomson, Acting secretary for the Maryland Department of Transportation (WMAR-2 News)

What’s next

The planning process will involve community input before any construction begins, and the entire process could take 2.5 to 3 years from planning to completion.

The takeaway

The planned upgrades to Maryland's state highways, including Route 40 in Catonsville, reflect a shift towards prioritizing the safety and integration of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, moving away from a historical focus on motorists.