Key Dates

Baltimore is among 10 cities selected for the Big Jump Project, a new initiative from the national bike advocacy group PeopleForBikes. By quickly building and connecting bike networks, the program aims to increase bike ridership in targeted neighborhoods over the course of three years.

“Baltimore is excited to learn, contribute, and engage in the Big Jump Project,” said Mayor Catherine Pugh. “This program is a huge step forward in the national conversation about biking.  The city is eager to build stronger and healthier communities that are centered around active transportation.”

Read more here: https://transportation.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2017-01-24-baltimore-selected-big-jump-grant-recipient

In addition to the public and community outreach that went into The Big Jump application, Baltimore City DOT conducted two public meetings, one held on April 23, 2018 at the Greenmount School and another on April 26, 2018 at the Beth Am Synagogue. Notification of the meetings were mailed and sent electronically at least two weeks prior to the meeting and robocalls were made days before the meeting dates. In addition, community groups and local and state elected officials were personally alerted to the time and location of the meetings. Each council member whose district the project passes through expressed their support for The Big Jump prior to the launch of the project. Comments on the project were taken at the meeting and an email address was provided for further comments. A website with information on the project was created prior to the meetings and can be found here: https://transportation.baltimorecity.gov/engineering-construction-projec...

Bikemore, Baltimore City’s local bicycle and livable streets advocacy group, re-purposed a vacant lot at the intersection of Linden Avenue and Druid Park Lake Drive to host a block party celebrating the opening of the Big Jump SUP with food, music, interactive art, group bike rides, walking tours, and family friendly activities in August of 2018. The block party represented both a celebration for those who worked hard to see the concept become reality and a means by which to introduce the benefits of the SUP to a wider community audience.

See the original event flyer here: https://transportation.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/Big%20Jump%20Block%20Party_poster.pdf

See link for full BCDOT press release: https://transportation.baltimorecity.gov/news/traffic-advisories/2020-09-21-traffic-pattern-changes-will-soon-occur-along-druid-park-lake

Specific to the Big Jump

"Residents should be aware that this phase of construction will also affect the Big Jump route.  Part of the Big Jump will be moved onto the sidewalk between the intersections of Linden Avenue and Lakeview Avenue.  Between Lakeview Avenue and Mt. Royal Terrace, the Big Jump Pathway will shift into the north parking lane along the median.  At the intersection of 28^th Street and Mt. Royal Terrace, the Big Jump pathway will be rerouted through the intersection and reconnected to the existing trail on the W. 28^th Street Bridge.

These traffic modifications and changes to the Big Jump pathway will remain in effect for approximately 9 to 12 months as utility construction progresses.  The construction along  Druid Park Lake Drive will cause traffic congestion and delays.  Motorists traveling in this vicinity should allow additional travel time and be on the watch for changing traffic patterns.

Work on DPW’s Druid Lake Tank Project to install two huge underground tanks that will better secure the City’s water supply is 70 percent complete.  The tanks – one 500 feet in diameter and the second 450 feet in diameter – will be over 20 feet tall and will hold 52 million gallons of water combined.  They will be buried underground and topped with landscaped green space in the western edge of the lake.  The 500-foot wide tank will be the largest of its kind in the world."

Today, Mayor Brandon Scott and Department of Transportation Director Steve Sharkey today announced that the evaluation of the Big Jump program is now complete. The Big Jump Shared Use Path is an initiative by the Department of Transportation and community partners to create a safe and comfortable pedestrian/bicycle connection between the Reservoir Hill and Remington neighborhoods.   

Read more here: https://transportation.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2021-07-28-baltimore-city-department-transportation-completes-evaluation-big