State Highway Administration details pedestrian safety projects, quick‑build trials and federal grants

The Maryland State Highway Administration told the House Environment and Transportation Committee on Jan. 16 that it is advancing a mix of near‑term “quick‑build” demonstrations and longer‑term corridor projects to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist deaths.

Will Pines, administrator for the Maryland State Highway Administration, said SHA’s approach uses a context‑driven design guide and a toolbox of countermeasures selected by roadway type and community setting. The agency highlighted three categories of work: quick‑build demonstrations born from the Complete Streets Leadership Academy, the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) that targets the state’s most dangerous segments, and a broader Vulnerable Road User (VRU) assessment completed in November 2023.

SHA listed current PSAP or VRU project segments in early phases of development, including Maryland 650 (Prince George’s and Montgomery counties), Maryland 2 (Anne Arundel), Maryland 410 and Maryland 201 (Prince George’s), US 1 (Howard), and Maryland 150 (Baltimore County). Pines said many projects began public engagement in the fall and that quick‑build projects have included lane narrowing, speed cushions, flex posts and upgraded crosswalk treatments.

Pines also reported recent federal grant awards that will fund construction or major safety enhancements: an $11,800,000 RAISE grant to build 2.3 miles of shared‑use path along Maryland 210 in Prince George’s County, and a $3,300,000 Reconnecting Communities grant for sidewalks, signals and raised medians along US 50 in Easton. SHA noted additional CTP funding in the FY25–FY30 package, including $38,000,000 added for Complete Streets and restored funding for projects such as the Maryland 97 Montgomery Hills and US 15 / I‑81 improvements.

SHA said the quick‑build demonstration process lets the agency test designs and adjust before investing in permanent infrastructure, and that projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other federal programs are being matched with state resources. Pines also described work zone safety efforts tied to the Road Worker Protection Act (higher fines and new software implementation), and said SHA has bought equipment to reduce worker exposure to traffic.

Committee members asked about the timeline for construction funding on projects such as Montgomery Hills; SHA responded that federal eligibility (Highway Safety Improvement Program designation) can allow higher federal contributions and that the agency is trying to program construction money for projects where possible.

Pines concluded by saying SHA will continue to pair engineering projects with enforcement, education and emergency services as part of the state’s broader safe‑systems approach to Vision Zero.