Route 32 on list to get gateway sign ... someday
SHA reviewing request for Route 26 location
By Charles Schelle
cschelle@patuxent.comPosted 4/26/09
The Carroll County Department of Economic Development doesn't have any slight against Route 32 for a new stone welcome sign.
It'll just have to wait, that's all.
Larry Twele, director of the county's Department of Economic Development said last week that it makes sense for motorists to see a sign coming into Carroll County from Howard County, but future road expansion had raised some concerns.
"We absolutely agree that Route 32 deserves a sign as well," Twele said, "but Route 32 is going to be expanded in the foreseeable future."
Expansion of Route 32 is on the top of Carroll County's priority list for construction projects, but no funding is in place for any phase to construct or plan a Route 32 expansion, according to Charlie Gischlar, State Highway Administration spokesman.
The Carroll County Commissioners recently approved for two stone welcome signs — one on Route 140 near Finksburg and another on Route 26 at Liberty Reservoir.
Some residents and officials have said that they'd rather have the first Eldersburg/Sykesville welcome sign on Route 32 greeting motorists coming from Howard County.
Just last week,, state Del. Susan Krebs (R-Dist. 9B) told the Freedom Area Citizens Council she'd rather see the sign on Route 32.
"Many of us believe that the proper location for our first gateway sign in South Carroll should coming up Route 32 into Warfield," she said. "That's the way most people come into Carroll County."
But Twele noted that, "The sign at Route 26 at Liberty Reservoir is in concert with the Freedom Community Comprehensive Plan."
He said county officials did not want to be in a position to put up a sign and have it torn down or in the way because of grading and storm water management needs in relation to widening Route 32.
He added that all major thoroughfares will have a stone welcome sign as funds from the county hotel/motel tax allow.
Officials signed off on permits for the signs on April 22, Twele said, and he expects construction to start in June.
The State Highway Administration is "site neutral" when it comes where a sign should be placed, said Gischlar. He said the state has approved the text and design of the sign.
SHA is working with county officials to determine the exact location of the signs, Gischlar, and will also determine whether the sites meets state standards.