At an open house on Wednesday, December 4th, the Baltimore Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed new plans for the poor-performing intersection at Light St. and Key Hwy.,which serves as a gateway into Federal Hill from Downtown.
Previously a traffic circle was planned for the intersection, but the project became too large and expensive and presented concerns regarding pedestrian safety. “They are able to use the same amount of money to make improvements from Conway all the way to Covington, as opposed to just that one intersection,” Councilman William Cole told SouthBMore.com.
Just like in the previous plan, the new plan will include the addition of green space and trees on sidewalks and medians, as well as surface improvements. But, instead of a traffic circle, a traffic light will remain with a new right lane on southbound Light St. so that traffic no longer has to stop.
A traffic signal has been added at William St., and one has been removed at Battery Ave. Traffic will still not be able to turn left from Key Hwy. onto Light St.
There will also be sidewalk improvements along Key Hwy., which is part of the Gwynns Falls Trail, as well as along Light St. There is also still an opportunity for a public art space in the medians, like in the original plan.
Construction is likely to begin around Spring 2015.
