PRG: Stoney Run Trail Alignment Alternatives

The Stoney Run Trail runs from Elkridge to the BWI Trail. It will be a 4-mile bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path comfortable for a range of ages and abilities. It may also include side-paths and on-road portions.

The northern extent of this trail segment will intersect the Patapsco Regional Greenway: Elkridge to Guinness Open Gate Brewery segment at the intersection of Main Street and Furnace Avenue.

To the south, the Stoney Run Trail ends at the BWI Marshall Airport Hiker-Biker, a 10-mile trail that circles around the entire airport.  The BWI Trail connects to the B&A Trail through Sawmill Creek Park, which would take users all the way to Annapolis.

BMC has held the first public comment period and community meeting to gather public input where information was gathered in person, online, and by phone.

Overall, the feedback received from the group was positive with participants expressing interest and enthusiasm for the project. Some comments received included:

• Concern for the on-road portions and suggesting there be a separation of the trail from the roadway.
• Explore the alignment along the rail corridor.
• Explore a realigning Ridge Road.
• Explore trail realignment along Race Road and Hanover Road.
• Consider avoiding Furnace Ave, creating trail opposite the (Patapsco) River and add an additional bridge.
• Limited sight lines at narrow/dark bridge (near 195/Patapsco/Rail Line).
• Lots of traffic near apartment complex on Furnace Ave.
• Connect trail behind MDOT Office.
• Possible to go under BW Parkway and stay closer to Amtrak.
• Stoney Run Road has debris potentially hazardous debris in the shoulder.
• Consider impacts from new warehouse complex on Corporate Center Drive.
• Explore opportunities to add water along the alignment.

We considered this feedback as we developed four potential options for where the trail will go.

Now, we are launching the second comment  period to get your feedback on where the trail will go. A second community meeting will be held on May 22 (information below) and there will be opportunity to comment online May 6 through June 5, 2024. Following this comment period, BMC will meet with the Steering Committee and Advisory Committee to review public opinion and will select a preferred alternative. That will be presented at a third community meeting in the fall.

Stoney Run Trail is funded through the Preliminary Design Phase. The Preliminary Design Phase is expected to conclude by the end of 2024. Completing this design process will allow the region to seek funding for the final design and construction of the trail. This is your chance to help us choose where the trail will go.

Let's go over the alternatives!

The Stoney Run Trail will use different types of pathways so that people can walk and bike or scooter safely and comfortably. Some parts of the trail will be ADA accessible or available for horse riders. Options include:

On-Road Sharrow: road markings used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and cars.

Separated Bike Lane: a portion of the roadway that has been designated by striping, signage, and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicyclists.

Trail & Cycle Track: a physically separated trail that allows bicycle and pedestrian movement in both directions on one side of the road.

Shared Use Trail: an off-road trail.

This is the originally proposed trail. Community input and closer review of the site will shape the final trail location. It may be here, but it may also change based on feedback and our research.

The trail begins as Sharrows in Historic Elkridge and follows Furnace Avenue, turning right to continue to a Maintenance Road in Patapsco Valley State Park. The trail follows the road and Stoney Run until it goes up hill to meet Ridge Road. The trail continues in the shoulder of Ridge Road, crossing 295, until the BGE Right of Way where it becomes an off-road Shared Use Path that follows Ridge Road to Corporate Center Drive. Finally it becomes a separated bike path on the shoulder of Stoney Run Road and connects to the BWI Trail.

Opportunities

• Use of existing infrastructure
• Connections to residential and commercial properties

Challenges

• Narrow and difficult section along Furnace Avenue that would require the use of Sharrows
• Utility Conflicts
• Steep slopes within Patapsco Valley State Park
• Limited trail length in natural setting
• Limited parking and options for trailhead entrances

The stream alignment keeps trail users away from as much traffic as possible and follows the Patapsco River and Stoney Run for most of the way.

The trail begins as Sharrows in Historic Elkridge and follows Railroad Avenue. While briefly following Furnace Avenue, the trail cuts over to follow the Patapsco River. A bridge connects the trail to cross Furnace Avenue and follow Maintenance Road. The trail may need to become boardwalk to avoid impacting protected wetlands. It then follows Old Stoney Run Road to become an off-road Shared Use Path that follows Ridge Road to Corporate Center Drive. Finally it becomes a separated bike path on the shoulder of Stoney Run Road and connects to the BWI Trail.

Opportunities

• Extensive trail length in natural setting
• Elimination of dangerous section of Furnace Avenue on-road section
• Limited safety concerns

Challenges

• Multiple stream crossings
• Limited connections to residential and commercial properties
• Potential environmental impacts
• Alignment between 295 and Stoney Run may require boardwalk or additional permitting fees due to Wetlands of Special Concern
• Limited parking and options for trailhead entrances

The Utility Alignment follows Furnace Avenue through Elkridge but turns right onto Ridge Road. This portion of Ridge Road is wide enough that we can build a separated bike lane in the shoulder. There is also an existing parking lot within Patapsco Valley State Park that could be used as a trailhead entrance. The trail goes down the BGE Right of Way to the Maintenance Road, goes under 295, and then returns to Ridge Road up the Colonial Gas Line Right of Way. The trail continues as an off-road Shared Use Path that follows Ridge Road to Corporate Center Drive. Finally it becomes a separated bike path on the shoulder of Stoney Run Road and connects to the BWI Trail.

Opportunities

• Combination of natural setting and connections to existing commercial and residential properties
• Use of existing utility easements
• Elimination of dangerous section of Furnace Avenue on-road section

Challenges

• Narrow and difficult section along Ridge Road
• Multiple stream crossings
• Steep slopes
• Utility Coordination

The Race Road Trail Alignment was developed following feedback at the community meeting. This trail would be almost entirely Sharrows. It would leave Elkridge on Furnace Avenue and then turn right onto Race Road. Then it would follow Race Road to Hanover Road. There is an opportunity for an entrance at this intersection. Following Hanover Road, the trail would become a protected bike lane following Stoney Run Road and would connect into the BWI Trail.

Opportunities

• Uses existing infrastructure
• Rural road setting
• Familiarity of current cyclists

Challenges

• Limited connections to residential and commercial properties
• No trail in natural setting
• Multiple roadway crossings
• Heavy traffic use along Hanover Road

In January, we launched the design process and heard from community members about their ideas for features, concerns about the trail, and suggestions for making the trail beneficial for everyone.

Now, we are eager to hear from you about 4 different options for where the trail should go.  

We're having a community meeting and open house to talk with the community. Join us on Tuesday, May 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Linthicum Library of the Anne Arundel County Library System (400 Shipley Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090)  Visit  publicinput.com/prgstoneyrun  to RSVP. We hope to see you there!    

You can also let us know what you think by:

• Survey - Take our 5 minute survey at  publicinput.com/prgstoneyrun 
• Email:  PRGStoneyRun@publicinput.com 
• Text: send keyword ‘PRGStoneyRun’ to 73224 to take the survey
• Voicemail: Leave us a voice message at 855-925-2801 x 3937
• Social Media: Find us on social media @BaltoMetroCo