County Councilman David Marks said today that he has signed onto a bill to study traffic calming in the county. The resolution does not name specific roads that are in need of calming, but he said that Stevenson Lane in Rodgers Forge would likely be on the list.
Stevenson has long been of concern for residents, as cars routinely drive way above the speed limit there. For some reason, Stevenson Lane has a speed limit of 25 MPH on the east side of York Road (in Stoneleigh/Wiltondale) but on the west side of York (Rodgers Forge) the speed limit on Stevenson is 30 MPH — though most cars seem to go at least 40 and even much faster.
The resolution was introduced by Councilwoman Cathy Bevins. It requests a review of Baltimore County’s traffic calming program, which regulates the placement of speed bumps, traffic islands, and other features for slowing speed. Councilman Marks has joined as a cosponsor.
Below is information from Councilman Marks:
Currently, traffic calming devices can be implemented in neighborhoods where the roads meet certain engineering criteria, where there is a documented problem with speed and volume, and where there is public support. The criteria disqualifies higher-order roads and communities that are outside the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line.
“Due to the amount of roads that have been turned down, I believe the County needs to review the criteria for determining when traffic calming measures are needed,” Councilwoman Bevins commented.
“While we have been successful in getting traffic calming in our neighborhoods, there are some streets that would make sense to qualify but are currently excluded from consideration,” Councilman Marks commented.
The resolution asks the Planning Board and Department of Public Works to evaluate the traffic calming program and report back to the County Council by September 1.
The resolution may be found here. It will be voted on next week, on Monday, April 18.
Regarding disparate Stevenson La. speed limits east and west of York Rd. 8 years ago Don Gerding and I attempted to lower speed to 25 mph west of York Rd. I can’t remember the reason because it was not convincing for me. Don said it may have been something about Steven is not as wide on the east side of York.
Today I measured the width of Stevenson, 42′. Later I measured Eastridge Rd., the street where Timonium Elementary School is located. The street is 42′ wide, same as Stevenson. But the speed limit is slower, 25 mph. The tragic engineer has retired. It’s time to ask again.
While your at it, move the speed camera farther west on the north side of Stevenson. County Council chairman, Joe Bartenfeld helped me relocate that camera to Stevenson. It was scheduled to be on Dumbarton. Ask Marks if he’ll work to move it again. All he has to do is ask the Police Chief. That’s what Bartenfeld did.
So happy this could possibly be happening. As a resident of Rodgers Forge who also happens to live on Stevenson, I sincerely hope the resolution passes. I know I speak for many in the neighborhood who feel this is long overdue.