Bicycle and Pedestrian System Preservation Programs

Sidewalk Reconstruction for Pedestrian Access (Fund 33): The primary purpose of this fund is to upgrade existing pedestrian facilities along state highways to meet Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) Accessibility Policy & Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities along State Highways.

Requirements:

Considered at locations where no other project is planned.
Projects must be along a state highway.
Project must be within a half mile of transit, government and public facilities.
Projects are not limited to Priority Funding Areas.
Projects do not require any funding participation from the local jurisdiction.

Contact: Sean Campion, MDOT SHA Innovative Contracting, 410-545-8863.

New Sidewalk Construction for Pedestrian Access (Fund 79): The primary purpose of this fund is to construct new sidewalks along the state highway system where none exist.

Requirements:

Projects must be requested by the local jurisdiction where the sidewalk would be located.
Projects must be along an “urban highway” as defined in Maryland Transportation Code Annotated § 8-630.
Projects must be at locations where no other roadway project is currently planned.
The local jurisdiction must agree to the following as required by Maryland Transportation Code Annotated § 8-630:
- To fund or secure all right-of-way outside of SHA right-of-way;
- To provide opportunities for public involvement prior to construction;
- To maintain the sidewalk after construction is complete.
Construction of projects not located within a Priority Funding Area shall be funded equally between MDOT SHA and the local jurisdiction.
Construction of projects located within a Priority Funding Area shall be 75 percent funded by SHA and 25 percent funded by the local jurisdiction.
If a sidewalk is located in a “Sustainable Community” per Housing and Community Development Article §6-301, construction may be funded entirely by SHA.
Sidewalk construction will be approved as a system preservation project and may be completely funded by MDOT SHA if:

a sidewalk is located in a Priority Funding Area
a substantial public safety risk or significant impediment to pedestrian access exists, and
the adjoining roadway is not under construction or reconstruction.

Contact: Sean Campion, MDOT SHA Innovative Contracting, 410-545-8863.

Bicycle Retrofit (Fund 88): The primary purpose of this fund is to provide bicycle facilities along the state highway system to promote connectivity or address safety. Improvements may include on-road facilities (marked bicycle lanes or marked shared-use lanes) or off-road facilities, such as shared-use paths.

Requirements:

Considered where no other project is planned.
Projects for on-road improvements do not require funding from the local jurisdiction.
Projects for off-road improvements are subject to the same requirements as the New Sidewalk Construction for Pedestrian Access program.

Contact: Sean Campion, MDOT SHA Innovative Contracting, 410-545-8863.