PRG: Stoney Run Trail Selected Alignment

Starting in the Spring of 2024, BMC has worked with the community to develop a planned route for the Stoney Run Trail, which runs from Elkridge to the BWI Trail.

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 two public comment periods and two 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 and used it to select the final option.

Now, we are launching the third comment  period to get your feedback on the selected alignment. A third community meeting will be held on December 11 (information below) and there will be opportunity to comment online November 20 through December 20, 2024.

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.

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.

Alignment Option 1: Original Alignment (Green)

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.

Alignment Option #2: Stream Alignment (Blue)

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.

Alignment Option #3: Utility Alignment (Orange)

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.

Alignment Option #4: Race Road

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.

Through comments gathered at the Public Meeting May 22 and the PublicInput survey, it became clear that the community preferred a combination of the alternatives. The top half of the Stream Alignment and the southern half of the Utility Alignment were by far the most popular routes.

On the PublicInput Survey, we had 133 participants and received 99 comments and 1,039 survey responses.

The trail continues to be well received and popular within the community.

Comments and concerns received about the alignment options were considered and included in developing the selected alternative.

And the community voted on their preferred alternative:

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. The benefit of this alignment is that it keeps trail users away from as much traffic as possible.

The trail turns to follow Stoney Run Stream and crosses Furnace Avenue to turn on to the Maintenance Road. The trail follows the Maintenance Road, goes under 295, and then returns to Ridge Road up the Colonial Gas Line Right of Way. We hope to avoid impacting the Wetlands of Special State Concern by returning to Ridge Road.

The trail continues as an off-road Shared Use Path that follows Ridge Road to Corporate Center Drive. Portions of the trial will be a separated bike path in the shoulder of Corporate Center Drive and some will be an off-road shared use path. The trail ends as a separated bike path on the shoulder of Stoney Run Road and connects down 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

• Road Crossing at Furnace Avenue
• Three stream crossings requiring three bridges
• Steep Trail Section to get up to Ridge Road
• Limited parking and options for trailhead entrances