The petition
Abstract:
Hazardous traffic calming island.
Location:
Timber Grove Road and Kingsbury Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Situation:
In order to slow the traffic traveling on Timber Grove Road, a traffic calming island has been installed. Normally, the islands are placed in the middle of the road, over the existing yellow line, and the curbs of the road on either side of the island are 'bowed out' to give room for the traffic to 'swerve' around the island.
When Kingsbury Road was built, a length of Timber Grove Road on either side of the cross streets was widened to the three lanes. The remaining Timber Grove Road ~100 feet from Kingsbury Road to Owings Mills Boulevard was left at the width of two lanes. This results in a 'jut out' of land ~100 feet past the Kingsbury Road installation.
Since the road width at this point is approximately three lanes across, Baltimore County Traffic Engineering installed the island to the right side of the double yellow line. This puts the island not in the center of the traveled road, but in the center of the three lane road. The result is that the island is exactly in the center of the lane where the public used to travel, instead of to their left side.
Since the island has been installed, the 'stay right' / 'pass on right of island' sign has been hit by cars at least three times, and all of the jut out markers are no longer standing.
Problem:
- The island is not in the center of the traveled road, but in the center of the physical three lane road.
- The island location is on a part of the road that bends to the left, and declines. This results in the driver's automobile's lights are not shinning onto the 'keep right' / 'pass on right of island' sign.
- Northbound drivers sometimes cut into the southbound lane, after passing the island, when trying to navigate past the island.
- Large trucks ( trash / delivery / firetrucks), buses (school), trailer vehicles (mowing services), and snow plowing vehicles either cut into the southbound traffic, or drive against traffic by going northbound in the southbound lane.
- The area is lacking a sign that warns of an approaching island. There is an old sign that states that Kingsbury Road narrows ahead, but not that there is an island ahead.
This sign location is on Timber Grove Road driving north and approaching Kingsbury Road.
- The island location is on a part of the road that does not have adequate lighting. The nearest walking light post is located south of the island across Kingsbury Road.
Requests:
Remove the traffic calming island.
Possible alternatives:
Install speed bump at current island location.
Move island to other (south) side of the Kingsbury intersection.
By signing this petition, you agree that the Kingsbury island (on Timbergrove Road) may be hazardous, and needs further investigation.
Sign the petition
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