Baltimore City Department of Transportation officials announced Friday that the third round of their Slow Streets program would begin on Sept. 14.
The program, which began on July 27, provides a safe way to calm traffic and reduce traffic volumes to give residents more social distancing space. The addition of the new 10 miles of Slow Streets brings to the total miles of streets in the program to 26.
Streets that are identified for the Slow Streets program will be restricted to local traffic only. This will provide neighborhoods with safe areas to walk, run, and bicycle while social distancing. Once the program is implemented, city residents will have the opportunity to make comments and give feedback on the program, which could influence future traffic calming projects.
Residents were allowed to submit nominations for the Slow Streets program earlier this year, which were then sponsored by their respective city council members for approval and implementation. Streets with bus routes were not eligible for Slow Streets designation. Residents, emergency vehicles, deliveries, and trash collection vehicles will have access to those streets designated as Slow Streets. Still, other motorists are asked not to use the streets unless their destination is within two blocks of the street.