anchor Description
This project provides for the design and construction of a new eight to ten-foot wide sidepath for 3.3 miles along Bowie Mill Road from Olney Laytonsville Road (MD 108) to Muncaster Mill Road (MD 115) and continues along Muncaster Mill Road to Needwood Road. The project also provides a new pedestrian bridge over Rock Creek North Branch for continuation of the sidepath along Bowie Mill Road.
anchorEstimated Schedule
Design started in FY23 and will be completed in FY25. Land acquisition will be completed in FY27 and utility relocation and construction will be completed in FY29 assuming additional State Aid is available.
anchorCost Change
Cost increase due to inflation for construction materials and land.
anchor Justification
The Montgomery County Bicycle Master Plan, approved in November 2018, recommends a sidepath along Bowie Mill Road. The project is a critical connection in the existing bicycle network between the existing trails and important destinations including Needwood Road Bike Path, North Branch Trail, the Inter-County Connector (ICC) Trail, Shady Grove Metro Station, Sequoyah Elementary School, Colonel Zadok Magruder High School, and Olney Town Center.
anchorOther
This project also supports the County Executive's Vision Zero initiative which aims to reduce injuries and fatalities on all roads.
anchorFiscal Note
$1.5M was approved in the FY22 Maryland General Assembly. State Aid of $6.3M substituted for GO Bonds in FY24-FY28 reflects State grants for capital projects obtained during the 2023 Maryland General Assembly Session, which allowed for acceleration for construction of the project by 6 months (completion in FY29). The $6.3M includes $2.1M awarded in FY24, and $2.1M pre-authorized ($4.2M total) in FY25 and FY26. An additional $2M in State Aid is being pursued through the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session.
anchorDisclosures
A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project.
The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.
anchorCoordination
Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Permitting Services, Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA), and utility companies