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Sykesville unveils streetscape plan for south Main Street to widen sidewalks, add pavers and bollards
Summary
Town staff presented a downtown streetscape plan that would add curb extensions, stamped concrete in state right-of-way, pavers, manual retractable bollards and new pedestrian plazas; designers say the work is intended to slow traffic and improve pedestrian access with some items requiring state approval.
Joe, a town project presenter, outlined a streetscape plan for the south end of Main Street aimed at improving pedestrian access and creating small plaza spaces for businesses.
The plan would reconfigure the Main Street intersection and remove several parking spaces near the south intersection to make room for expanded pedestrian areas, add curb extensions to shorten crosswalk distances, install stamped concrete in state right-of-way and pavers on sidewalks and side streets. Designers propose manual retractable bollards on Oklahoma Avenue to facilitate temporary road closures for events.
"So what we're doing here is basically reconfiguring this main intersection," Joe said during the presentation, describing curb pullouts and a larger pedestrian area to improve sight lines for drivers and pedestrians. He added that stamped concrete will be used in areas that fall in state right-of-way while pavers will define pedestrian zones elsewhere.
The presentation included design details: Main Street would keep two 12-foot travel lanes (about 24 feet total including gutter), Sandusky Road would be about 22 feet wide, and Oklahoma Avenue travel lanes would narrow to about 8–9 feet each. The team also proposed accent features to reference the site’s old rail line; state highway officials have expressed concern that such rail accents might be mistaken for a crosswalk and the town said it is still negotiating that element with the state.
A commissioner questioned the absence of a four-way crossing in front of the post office; "I didn't see a 4 way crossing there. I saw 3," the commissioner said. Joe replied that an earlier design included that crosswalk but it did not line up with Baldwin Drive and could dead-end pedestrians or interfere with truck turning movements.
Designers emphasized the project's dual goals of slowing traffic to increase pedestrian safety and creating more usable outdoor space for downtown events. The presenters said most work is limited to hardscape improvements, so no formal action from the Planning Commission is currently required. Some features that affect state right-of-way or state-maintained roads will need sign-off from state highways.
The streetscape design is out to bid; the presenters said a pre-bid meeting is scheduled, with bids due and procurement timing discussed during the meeting. Additional engineering refinements will continue as the town coordinates with state agencies.
Next steps: the design team will continue negotiations with state highways on right-of-way details and move forward through the town’s procurement and permitting process before construction begins.
