Art in the
Right-of-Way

Communities can apply to implement projects in Baltimore’s public spaces. Neighborhood efforts may include paintings along streets and sidewalks, installation of planters, special lighting, or public art installations. These modifications beautify neighborhoods, calm traffic, and create safer spaces for motorists and pedestrians.

Project proposals must include a design of the modification, materials, location, support from the local community, and a maintenance plan. MICA has compiled a full guide on the process.

View our Community Resources page for information on funding your project.

Ongoing Projects

What projects are being completed?

You can find information related to ongoing infrastructure projects in the First District and Baltimore using the resources on the side.

For more information on getting a road repaired, and to see our success in advocating for our constituents, visit our Traffic page.

  • You can find a map of all traffic signal projects online. This includes new signal installations, rewiring, or reconstruction of existing signals.

  • You can view resurfacing projects online. This map will show both current, past, and planned projects.

  • Our office regularly receives complaints on potholes, sinkholes, and high traffic in the First District. We assist constituents with these concerns for however long it takes to reach a resolution.

    You can view a map of current cases our office is assisting with on our Traffic page.

  • The Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) has published seven proposals to service the East-West Corridor in Central Maryland from Ellicott City to East Baltimore City.

    Below is a summary of the proposals. MTA collected public input and conducted several listening sessions during the summer of 2022.

    This fall, MTA will also release a set of plans to service the North-South Corridor within Baltimore City.

    Find more information at MTA.

  • The proposed Red Line is a 14-mile east-west transit line that will provide connection between the Woodlawn area of Baltimore County,West Baltimore communities, downtown Baltimore, Inner Harbor East, Fells Point, Canton, the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center — making travel in these heavily congested corridors simpler, faster and cheaper.

Staying Safe

General Travel

In addition to these tips, you can find more information on our Community Safety page. If there is an emergency, such as a hit-and-run, you should immediately call 911.

Cyclists

Cyclists are uniquely vulnerable on our City’s streets. Below, you can find a map of supported bike infrastructure in Baltimore.

  • Baltimore City has released a full guide encompassing bike safety and starting to bike to work.

  • There are a few common sense rules you can follow to stay safe on Baltimore’s roads and streets.

    • Be predictable at all times.

    • Obey all road rules and signs.

    • Never ride against traffic.

    • Use hand signaling.

    • Do not weave between parked cars.

    • When turning left, decide if you should cross like a car or a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

    • Avoid sidewalks.

    • Wear a helmet.

    • Use lights at night.

  • While fatal crashes involving cyclists are decreasing statewide, the total number of crashes are increasing. These rates are higher in Baltimore City.

    You can decrease your risk for injury and death by following some of the tips laid out above, especially by wearing a helmet.

    To see more statistics related to bike crashes, you can go online.

  • The best way to support bike riding is to do it too!

    Additionally, you can use the 311 system to promote bike-friendly infrastructure. For example, you can file for traffic calming requests at busy intersections. The installation of flex posts, sharper turns, and bike lanes all help to create safer streets for everyone on the road.

    You can also lend support to Bikemore, an advocacy group in Baltimore City.

  • You can request a free bike rack be installed online through DOT. You can use this same form to request a scooter parking corral.

    An inspector will come out within one month to determine if the location meets certain eligibility criteria. For bike racks, the adjacent property owner must approve of the project.

This map shows bike infrastructure within Baltimore City, such as bike corrals, bike lanes, and bike racks. You can click the arrows in the top left to see more information and the legend. This map was created by Baltimore City’s DOT. You can find a full-screen version online. Additionally, you can find updates on bike infrastructure at Bikemore.

Complete Streets

In 2018, Baltimore City adopted a Complete Streets Ordinance. This was followed up in 2021 by the release of a Complete Streets Manual in 2021. This program will prioritize multiple transportation modes, in contrast to automobile-centered transportation policies. In other cities, complete streets programs have improved safety, health, economic, and environmental outcomes. This program will make our city’s streets safer for all community members.

The Complete Streets Manual outlines how complete streets policies will be implemented in Baltimore City. This includes how transportation projects are prioritized, selected, planned, and designed. These projects will prioritize the most vulnerable users of our streets: pedestrians. This sets up a city-wide hierarchy of modes to prioritize, as shown to the side.

These policies were designed to first-and-foremost address safety. Baltimore City has over 17,000 reported crashes each year, more than 45 each day. By prioritizing vulnerable motorists we can reduce fatalities on our roads while creating greener, healthier communities. These policies were also produced to increase road accessibility and improve mobility city-wide.

In practice, this could look like the addition of bike lanes with buffer zones dividing them from car lanes, widened sidewalks, additional tree planting, shortened crosswalks, or timed intersections. These changes will make our roads safer and more efficient for everyone—drivers, walkers, business owners, and cyclists alike.