MDOT to Prioritize Pedestrian Safety on Baltimore County Road

State Highway Administration plans sidewalk improvements, crosswalk upgrades, and bus stop changes along Reisterstown Road corridor

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is taking steps to improve pedestrian safety along the Reisterstown Road corridor in Baltimore County, from Rosewood Lane to MD 30. Residents have long complained about the lack of sidewalks and unsafe conditions for walking in the area, especially near bus stops. MDOT is proposing to add missing sidewalk segments, update crosswalks, potentially add new crossings, and make changes to bus stop locations.

Why it matters

The Reisterstown Road corridor is a heavily trafficked area with a mix of residential, commercial, and transit uses. Improving pedestrian infrastructure and safety is crucial to ensuring the area is accessible and safe for all users, not just drivers. This project is part of MDOT's statewide pedestrian safety action plan to address these types of issues across Maryland.

The details

MDOT held a public workshop to gather feedback from local residents on the proposed improvements. Plans include adding missing sidewalk segments, updating crosswalks, possibly adding new mid-block crossings, and relocating or consolidating bus stops. Some residents expressed concerns that new mid-block crossings could create sudden stops for drivers and potential accidents. MDOT noted that right-of-way constraints may limit the extent of sidewalk improvements in certain areas.

  • The design phase for the project is expected to be completed by summer 2027.
  • Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring 2028.

The players

MDOT

The Maryland Department of Transportation, the state agency responsible for transportation infrastructure and planning.

Don and Audrey Adams

Owings Mills residents who have experienced the lack of sidewalks and safety issues along Reisterstown Road.

Erin Kuhn

MDOT Deputy District Engineer, who presented the proposed improvements at the public workshop.

Dawn Fischer

An Owings Mills resident who noted that new development in the area has exacerbated the sidewalk issues.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There are a lot of places that just don't have sidewalks, so I had to cross the road so I could stay on the sidewalk and not the field.”

— Don Adams, Owings Mills Resident

“And it's a popular bus route, so you know people are trying to catch buses without a sidewalk.”

— Audrey Adams, Owings Mills Resident

“I'm a little concerned about crosswalks in the middle where there are no intersections because I feel like that could cause cars to stop suddenly, cause other potential car accidents because they're stopping for a pedestrian.”

— Audrey Adams, Owings Mills Resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This project highlights the ongoing challenges many communities face in balancing the needs of drivers, pedestrians, and public transit users. By prioritizing pedestrian safety through infrastructure improvements, MDOT aims to make the Reisterstown Road corridor more accessible and safer for all users, though some residents have expressed concerns about potential unintended consequences of certain proposals.