Construction work on a Town of Bel Air street project, which has been in the works for more than a decade, started the week of October 14 as crews with Ivy Hill Construction Services used equipment to tear up the sidewalks along Thomas Street between Western Alley and Kelly Avenue.
It is the beginning of what Stephen Kline, the Town’s Public Works Director, described as “the most comprehensive streetscape project we’ve undertaken in the last 25 years,” supported by a significant investment of federal funds allocated to Bel Air through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The total project, which is expected to cost about $1 million, involves improvements to Thomas Street between Kelly Avenue and Bond Street. Those improvements include replacing the existing concrete sidewalk along the south side of the street with a paver pathway, new landscaping and street lights, as well as repaving and narrowing the roadway.
The new pedestrian pathway, which will go directly past Plumtree Park, and narrowing Thomas Street, are designed to enhance the walkability and slow down vehicle traffic on Thomas, much of which goes through a residential neighborhood, according to Deputy Public Works Director Charlie Dawson.
Additional improvements include building sidewalks, curbs and gutters along the north side of the street, plus construction of handicap-accessible ramps and repairing and building existing and new storm water management infrastructure along Thomas, according to Dawson.
He and Associate Engineer Bud Haight were at the work site on Thursday, October 17. A section of Thomas Street by Plumtree Park was blocked as crews with Ivy Hill continued demolition work, including removing the curved “chicane” across from Western Alley, which had been installed as a traffic-calming measure.
While the Thomas Street sidewalk by the park has been removed, a large group of children supervised by adults was playing in the park during the chilly fall morning. Dawson stressed that the park will remain accessible during the project, which is expected to last through spring 2025. Visitors are encouraged to use the George Street lot on the opposite side of the park.
The sidewalks that run past residences on Thomas Street also have been removed, although driveway access to the houses has been maintained. The sidewalk portion of the project is expected to last through the holiday season. The total project has been divided into two phases, with the first phase involving work between Kelly Avenue and Archer Street and the second being between Archer and Bond Street.
Drivers should look for closures and detours, especially while construction work is happening between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., although local traffic will be able to get through if drivers live in the neighborhood.
The Thomas Street upgrades are part of a larger initiative by the Town to improve Thomas and George Street and connect the walking path to Kelly Fields at Boulton Street and Route 24 near the Harford Mall, and ultimately to the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail.
Contact Media and Public Relations Specialist David Anderson at 410-838-7181 or danderson@belairmd.org.