Bike Lanes Coming to Pointers Run Neighborhood

At the May 13 Board of Directors meeting, Chris Eatough, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, Howard County Office of Transportation (OOT), provided an overview of the bike lane project being planned for Summer Sunrise Drive and part of River Run in the Pointers Run neighborhood. He noted that these bike lanes are included in BikeHoward, the county’s Bicycle Master Plan and are a county priority. The planned lanes are also part of the State Highway Administration and county bicycle commuter route that will ultimately connect to Ft. Meade in Anne Arundel County. The bike lanes are scheduled to be installed after school ends as part of a road-resurfacing project.

During his presentation, Mr. Eatough noted the primary concern raised by the community in August 2018 was the need for overflow pool parking along Summer Sunrise Drive during the summer months. The OOT has since coordinated with the Columbia Association’s Aquatics Department. A plan is being finalized that is expected to include bike lanes in both directions on Summer Sunrise Drive and retain parking along the south side of the road, adjacent to the existing sidewalk. The county is determining whether the bike lanes can be installed along the divided section of Summer Sunrise Drive, between Great Star Drive and Trotter Road, and evaluating the best way to make a smooth transition to the undivided portion of the street. River Run will have sharrows (share the road arrows) from Summer Sunrise Drive to the intersection with Empty Song Road. For now, the existing traffic chokers on Summer Sunrise Drive will remain as currently installed.

Mr. Eatough will present the final design plan at the association’s Board of Directors meeting on June 3. The meeting will be held at Claret Hall, begins at 7 p.m. and is open to residents. River Hill residents will have an opportunity to comment during the Speak Out portion of the agenda.