How to Contact Transportation & Special Projects
Abdul Akbari, PE
7125 Riverwood Drive, Suite B
Columbia, MD 21046
410-313-2014
Email the Transportation and Special Projects Division
About the Transportation & Special Projects Division
The Transportation and Special Projects Division consists of professional engineers and support staff managing the design and development of various infrastructure (storm drain, roads and bridges) as well as large park capital projects under the County's CIP program. The Division is responsible for many of the transportation infrastructure needs that are beyond the scope of the Bureau of Highways. Examples of specific work would include the replacement/rehabilitation of existing bridges, widening of existing roadways, installation of storm drains and storm water management in flood-prone areas and implementation of the County's WalkHoward Plan for sidewalk installation.
The Division, along with the Development Engineering Division of the Department of Planning and Zoning, is responsible for the development of the Howard County road, bridge, and storm drain system design standards as established in the Howard County Design Manual Volumes I and III.
Review of private development impacts to the local transportation infrastructure and development of transportation planning studies for capital projects are also provided by this Division.
The Transportation and Special Projects Division is also an active member of the design team for many State Highway Administration (SHA) projects within Howard County.
J4173 Hi-Tech Drive at Hanover Road Intersection Improvements
On August 6, 2025, the Transportation and Special Projects division held a community outreach meeting to discuss the project to realign the horizontal and vertical curve of the roadway to improve sight distance and overall function of the intersection of Hi-Tech Drive and Hanover Road.
For questions about the project, please contact the Project Manager, Megan Nolan PE at 410-313-5398 or mnolan@howardcountymd.gov
Recent Public Meetings
The goal of the project is to enhance traffic operations and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists in the Emerson Subdivision and North Laurel area by converting the stop-controlled intersection to a single-lane roundabout. The project includes marked crosswalks and bicycle treatments, which provide cyclists approaching the roundabout the option to exit at bicycle ramps and use the proposed pathway. DPW held a Community Information Meeting on Tuesday, October 22 from 5-6:30pm at Murray Hill Middle School to present the preliminary design to the public. The following materials were available on display at the meeting:
The project is currently in the preliminary design stage with construction anticipated to begin in FY26. For those unable to attend the meeting, please complete and submit the comment form to Caitlin Kovel (Project Manager) via email at ckovel@howardcountymd.gov. The comment period will be open until Friday, November 8, 2024.
A public informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, in Elkridge Landing Middle School Cafeteria at 7085 Montgomery Road Elkridge, MD to present plans for two Capital Projects in the Elkridge area: J4212 MD 103 at US 1 Intersection Improvements and K5036 Roosevelt Boulevard Sidewalk Improvements.
J4212, MD 103 at US 1 Intersection improvements: The improvements include roadway widening on Meadowridge Road and Dorsey Road to provide additional turn lanes, new sidewalks, bike lane, storm drain and new storm water management facilities. The project is currently at final design stage with ongoing land acquisition and advanced utility relocations. Weather permitting and pending final land acquisition, construction is expected to begin in Summer 2025 and complete in Fall 2026.
K5036, Roosevelt Boulevard Sidewalk Improvements: This project will install new sidewalk along southbound Roosevelt Boulevard from Business Parkway to Cemetery Road. K5036 project is at final design stage and expected to start construction in Fall 2024 and complete by December 2024.
A Public Informational Meeting was held for this project on Thursday, July 11th, 2024, at Bollman Bridge Elementary School, in Savage, MD. The purpose of this meeting was to present the preliminary design plans for proposed pedestrian and bicycle improvements along Guilford Road, between Oakland Mills Road and Carroll Heights Avenue, and to collect public feedback that may be incorporated into the project’s final design.
Consistent with the County’s Complete Streets policy, this project aims to facilitate safer travel for local commuters, bicyclists, and pedestrians in the area of Guilford Park and the new Guilford Park High School. Proposed design improvements along this section of Guilford Road include:
- The installation of a shared use path to enhance pedestrian and bicycle mobility, and
- The installation of new street lighting, signage, roadway striping, storm drainage, stormwater management facilities and landscaping along the proposed shared use path.
The project is currently in the preliminary design stage with construction anticipated in fall of 2025, pending land acquisition.
Any questions regarding this capital project can be directed to the Project Manager, Mr. Jacob Taylor, via email: jataylor@howardcountymd.gov
Display items presented at the public meeting are linked below:
This project will facilitate the safe and efficient flow of local commuter, bicycle and pedestrian traffic movements from the westbound MD 32 off-ramp onto Broken Land Parkway and at the intersection of Snowden River Parkway and Broken Land Parkway.
The project is currently in the preliminary design stage with construction anticipated in fall of 2025, pending land acquisition and budget approval.
Any questions regarding this capital project can be directed to the Project Manager, Mr. Kareem Abdelazim at email kabdelazim@howardcountymd.gov
The displays and brochure presented at the public meeting held on Thursday March 7th, 2024 at the Hammond High School Cafeteria are linked below:
A public informational meeting will be held on Thursday June 1st, 2023 at the Roger Carter Community Center to present plans for the multi-modal travel improvement project along Rogers Avenue between US 40 and Court House Drive.
Project Summary
The project will include the widening of Rogers Avenue and the installation of new storm water management facilities, a landscaped median, a center turn lane, crosswalks at Oak West Drive and Linwood Drive, and curb, gutter, sidewalks and bikes along both sides of the roadway. Improvements will also be made to the storm drain system in the area and an existing culvert will be replaced with a new twin culvert to pass a 100-year storm. Finally, utilities in the area will also be relocated to accommodate the work being done.
Weather permitting and pending final land acquisition, the project is expected to begin in Summer 2023 and will take 24 months to complete.
The displays presented at the informational meeting are linked below.
Rogers Avenue looking South from US 40.
Any questions regarding this capital project can be directed to the Project Manager, Ms. Yuqiong Bai at email ybai@howardcountymd.gov
This capital project consists of constructing a new single-span prestressed concrete beam bridge on Henryton Road over a tributary to the Patapsco River. The existing bridge structure will be removed, and the traffic barrier and the roadway approaches will be improved as part of the upcoming construction, which is expected to begin in Spring 2023.
A public meeting to share project information was held on September 28, 2022 at Marriotts Ridge High School.
Questions regarding this capital project can be directed to the Project Manager, Mr. Jake Weir jweir@howardcountymd.gov
Howard County held an open house event on Thursday, November 2nd from 5-7pm in the Media Room at River Hill High School in Clarksville to present two ideas for multimodal travel improvements along Ten Oaks Road from Brighton Dam Road to MD 108. View materials from the meeting and learn more about the project here: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/transportation/clarksville-river-hill-streetscape-improvements
K5063 North Laurel Road Sidewalk Improvements
A Public Informational Meeting was held for this project on Monday, January 27th, 2025, at the North Laurel Community Center, in Laurel, MD. The purpose of this meeting was to present the semi-final design plans for proposed sidewalk improvements along North Laurel Road, between Linville Avenue and US 1 (Washington Boulevard), and to collect public feedback that may be incorporated into the project’s final design.
Consistent with the County’s Complete Streets policy, the project’s proposed design improvements in this area include the installation of:
- A sidewalk to enhance pedestrian mobility;
- New signage and roadway striping to facilitate safer bicycle mobility; and
- Storm drainage, stormwater management facilities, and landscaping along the proposed sidewalk.
The project design is being completed in coordination with Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s (SHA) US 1 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) project, as well as Howard County Capital Project W8333 (North Laurel / Savage Area Water System Improvements).
Capital Project K5063 is currently in the final design stage with construction anticipated in spring of 2026, pending land acquisition and construction of Capital Project W8333.
Any questions regarding this capital project can be directed to the Project Manager, Mr. Jacob Taylor, via email: jataylor@howardcountymd.gov
Display items presented at the public meeting are linked below:
2025 Transportation Open House
The 2025 Transportation Open House was held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 4:30-7:30pm at the North Laurel Community Center. The Transportation & Special Projects Division had the following projects on display for public viewing and comment. To view the materials presented at the open house, visit the event page here: www.howardcountymd.gov/transportation-open-house
Select Capital Projects Currently in Design or Construction Phase
A community outreach meeting was held in November of 2021 at the Howard County Library - Elkridge branch to discuss the plans for the replacement of the existing bridge over the Rockburn branch of the Patapsco River.
Project Summary
The existing bridge needs to be replaced as it is considered structurally deficient. The new concrete bridge will be approximately 28' wide and 50' long and will improve the hydraulic capacity beneath the bridge. Construction is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2022 and is expected to last approximately 8 months. No detour for the existing traffic is required. Copies of the display boards presented at the meeting can be found here: Public Meeting Displays
If you have additional questions about this project, feel free to email the project manager, Mr. Nirav Patel, at npatel@howardcountymd.gov
A community meeting was held in late 2019 at Worthington Elementary School to discuss concepts developed for the Hale Haven and Garrian Orchards communities. The information presented at the meeting can be found here: Hale Haven power point
Land acquisition and design are currently underway for a new berm that would divert flows from residential areas. If you have additional questions about this project, feel free to email the Project Manager, Mr. Marshall Davidson (mdavidson@howardcounytmd.gov).
A multi-modal travel improvement project along Rogers Avenue between US 40 and Court House Drive. The project will include the widening of Rogers Avenue and the installation of new storm water management facilities, a landscaped median, a center turn lane, crosswalks at Oak West Drive and Linwood Drive, and curb, gutter, sidewalks and bikes along both sides of the roadway. Improvements will also be made to the storm drain system in the area and an existing culvert will be replaced with a new twin culvert to pass a 100-year storm. Finally, utilities in the area will also be relocated to accommodate the work being done.
Weather permitting and pending final land acquisition, the project is expected to begin in Summer 2023 and will take 24 months to complete.
Any questions regarding this capital project can be directed to the Project Manager, Ms. Yuqiong Bai at email ybai@howardcountymd.gov.
A previous community outreach meeting was held in September 2021 at the Roger Carter Community Center to discuss the plans for the complete streets-related capital project along Rogers Avenue.
Update (Jan. 2022)
The project is substantially complete with minor construction items remaining which will be completed by mid to late March.
Past construction photos can be found here:
Project Summary
Replacement of the existing bridge over the Hammond Branch of the Little Patuxent River in Laurel. Included in the project is continuous sidewalk construction along both sides of Stephens between Whiskey Bottom Road and Gorman Road. Bicycle accommodation along the roadway is also included.
Estimated cost of project: $5-10M
Actual construction start: Summer 2020
Estimated construction completion: Fall/Winter 2021
Displays presented at 3/7/2018 public meeting can be found here:
Project Summary
This capital project will complete the extension of Port Capital Drive at US1 (Washington Blvd), tying into existing Montevideo Road. The existing signal at the US1/Montevideo Road intersection will be removed and it will be converted to a right-in/right-out configuration. New sidewalk, curb and gutter, storm drain and stormwater management features are also included in the upcoming construction which is expected to begin in late summer 2022.
Displays and project information presented at the public meeting held on February 24, 2022 at Thomas Viaduct Middle School can be found by clicking the links below:
Proposed plan, profile and typical sections (without aerial overlay)
Proposed plan, profile and typical sections (with aerial overlay)
Any questions regarding this capital project can be directed to the Project Manager, Mr. Abdul Akbari (aakbari@howardcountymd.gov).
Update (Jan. 2022)
Construction of Phase 1 of the capital project is currently underway and will be completed by mid to late June of 2022.
Project Summary
This capital project will improve Oakland Mills Road between Guilford Road and Berger Road in Columbia. Improvements include: sidewalk and ADA ramps, bicycle compatibility, road widening, storm drain/storm water management and a new traffic signal at the Guilford Road intersection.
A display summarizing improvements to be completed under Phase 1 can be found here:
Project Summary
Geometric improvements of MD 103 (Meadowridge Road) at US 1 (Washington Blvd) in Elkridge. Project will provide additional turning lanes on the east and west legs of the intersection. Also included in the project are bike and pedestrian acccessibility improvements.
Estimated cost of project: $2.5M
Overall project anticipated completion: 2022
Graphics presented at 3/7/19 public meeting can be found here:
Widening of Snowden River Parkway between Oakland Mills Road and Broken Land Parkway.
Project will be phased with new third left turn lane to be constructed in Summer of 2018
Estimated Cost of 3rd left turn lane: $750,000
Estimated Cost of Overall Project: $30M
Overall project anticipated completion: 2023
Displays presented at 2/28/18 public meeting can be found here:
Display 1: Overall roadway plan
Display 2: Third left turn lane
Project Summary
Widening of Sanner Road between Johns Hopkins Road and Guilford Road to include accommodation for bike lanes per the County's Bicycle Master Plan.
Estimated cost of construction: $2.65M
Estimated construction start: 2020 (pending available funding)
Displays presented at 3/6/2018 public meeting can be found here:
Update (Jan. 2022)
All three phases of the capital project are now complete. There are a few remaining, minor issues currently being addressed under the Phase 3 construction. These items will be completed by mid to late March.
Project Summary
Capital project includes complete streets improvements in Savage to enhance multimodal travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and automobiles. Environmental site design practices will also be implemented along the roadsides to provide management of stormwater runoff.
For limits of each of the three phases, please click the below link to the graphic.
Project Summary
Roadway improvements along Lime Kiln Road between MD216 and Holly Manor Way to enhance driver safety and stream/storm water drainage.
Estimated cost of project: $1M-$2M
Estimated construction start: Spring 2021
Estimated construction completion: Fall 2021
Displays presented at 12/19/2019 public meeting held at Fulton Middle School can be found here:
Update (Jan. 2022)
Construction of sidewalk improvements between Jay Drive and Gray Rock Drive is currently underway and includes installation of a new pedestrian bridge over the Little Patuxent River and nearly 1,000 LF of sidewalk. This construction will be completed by late April 2022.
Project Summary
Capital Project for pedestrian and bicyclist improvements along Frederick Road between Gray Rock Drive and Centennial Lane in Ellicott City. Curb and gutter, storm drain and storm water management measures are included.
Displays presented at the 03/12/2020 community outreach meeting held at Centennial Lane Elementary School can be found here:
The Howard County Office of Transportation and Department of Public Works are advancing the Clarksville-River Hill Streetscape Improvements by developing plans for a system of shared use pathways, sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes within Clarksville. The Clarksville-River Hill Streetscape Improvements projects, coupled with proposed and existing streetscape projects to be built by private sector development projects, will connect and link the commercial and residential uses along the Clarksville Pike (MD 108) corridor. Learn more about the projects and view latest design plans here: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/transportation/clarksville-river-hill-streetscape-improvements
Other Capital Projects
The above reflects some projects in the design or construction phase. For additional information about the status of other projects currently under construction, please visit the DPW Home Page and click on the "Construction Projects" tab where you can filter the projects by type.
