I am pleased to announce that the Department of Public Works will reconstruct part of Seven Courts Drive to slow traffic in the area between the senior center and elementary school.
The county will install a brick island with a pedestrian crossing at the part of Seven Courts Drive between the Seven Oaks Senior Center and the Seven Courts common area. The county will then reconfigure Seven Courts Drive between the Weis Market shopping center and the traffic circle so there is a two-way center turn lane, a single eastbound and westbound lane, and parking lanes on either side of Seven Courts Drive. The existing pavement markings will be removed, with new lanes designated with reflective paint.
The parking lanes will have the added benefit of increasing safety for those who park for events at Seven Oaks Elementary School or Seven Oaks Senior Center during the week. During the weekend when there is less activity, they can be used as bike lanes.
The project will cost $10,000 and be finished by Memorial Day.
This stretch of Seven Courts Drive was the site of a hit-and-run that killed local resident Beverly Moore in January 2012. I have also received numerous complaints about speeding along Seven Courts Drive over the past two years. Several cars that belong to nearby residents have been hit along this stretch of Seven Courts Drive.
Seven Courts Drive is one of the busiest corridors in Perry Hall, but unfortunately, it was never designed with pedestrians in mind. Since the hit-and-run incident, I have pushed for improvements that will slow down traffic. I think these changes will help.
I actively consulted with the Perry Hall Improvement Association about the need for these improvements. I would like to thank Dennis Robinson, the President of the Perry Hall Improvement Association, as well as PHIA Vice President Jack Amrhein for testifying before the Baltimore County Planning Board on behalf of the PHIA to advocate for these measures. I would also like to thank the County Executive and Department of Public Works for their support.