Walkersville commissioners approve Pennsylvania Avenue and George Street fixes, authorize study of full Frederick Street

Commissioners in Walkersville on Sept. 10 approved moving forward with sidewalk and intersection improvements on Pennsylvania Avenue and George Street and authorized a broader traffic/street study of Frederick Street.

At the meeting commissioners agreed to pursue an update to Pennsylvania Avenue from Port Circle to Fulton Avenue and to replace temporary cones at the George Street intersection with a permanent ‘ham‑bone’ style island. One commissioner proposed holding off on immediate Frederick Street construction and instead funding a study of Frederick Street from Main Street to MD‑194 to identify broader traffic‑calming and ADA needs.

Staff advised that $250,000 has been set aside in the town’s sidewalk-improvement budget but cautioned that the study and construction could exceed initial estimates; a staff member said the study budget (previously cited at about $45,000) may be insufficient for a full-length review and that larger repairs—especially where old French drains and sewer/grade issues exist—could add unexpected costs.

After lengthy discussion about scope and sequencing, a motion to proceed with the Pennsylvania Avenue update (Port Circle to Fulton) and the George Street ham‑bone fix, and to fund a traffic study of Frederick Street, carried on voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to return cost estimates and recommended phasing so the town can use the sidewalk appropriation effectively.

What’s next: Staff will solicit cost estimates for the Pennsylvania Avenue work and the George Street modification, proceed with the Frederick Street study scope (with an eye on whether the $45,000 study budget needs to be increased), and return refined numbers at a later meeting.

Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 440; motion and vote through SEG 936.