Howard County is set to give two of its major corridors, Route 1 and Route 40, a serious makeover. Announced today by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the county’s Department of Planning & Zoning (DPZ) is embarking on a project to update the design manuals for both routes, as revealed in a statement. The upgrade aims to align the corridors with the County's long-term vision for land development, which is part of the HoCo By Design general plan adopted in 2023, and to address recommendations from other related policies.
Calvin Ball stated, "Route 1 and Route 40 are essential corridors for economic activity that create vital connections, celebrate our culture and contribute to Howard County’s unique sense of ‘place.’" He also mentioned that these updates will quickly implement the County's vision for land development, reflecting the aspirations outlined in HoCo By Design. Route 1's manual hasn't seen an update since 2009, and Route 40 since 2010, both of which will now undergo extensive review, according to information obtained from Howard County’s news release.
To ensure that the community’s voice is heard, stakeholder engagement will play a crucial role in the process. The county plans to include focus groups, public workshops, and interviews, fostering an inclusive approach to the updates. Clarence Dickerson, III, Administrator of the Office of Transportation, also emphasized the integration of the County’s Complete Streets policies, which aim to make streets safer and more accommodating for all users, as Calvin Ball told Howard County’s news portal.
For the technical aspects, consulting firm Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP (WRA) will provide its expertise. They are tasked to harmonize new public and private development with the updated design requirements over the next 18 months.
