Johnston Square Roadway Improvements
The Johnston Square Roadway Improvements Project will introduce a range of streetscape, ADA, Complete Streets, traffic infrastructure upgrades, and other quality-of-life improvements along 2/3 of a mile of both Preston and Biddle streets between Guilford Avenue and Eden Street. This project will improve Johnston Square’s transportation infrastructure and re-envision this East Baltimore neighborhood as a visually cohesive, safer, and more inviting community. These enhancements will advance proposed changes from the Johnston Square Vision Plan and modify these roadways with traffic-calming and other elements that comply with the City's adopted Complete Streets ordinance enacted in 2018, as well as the Complete Streets Manual adopted in 2021.
About this Project
This project will reconstruct Preston Street and Biddle Street with traffic-calming elements, resurfaced roadways, and other changes that residents and other stakeholders have long advocated for. Among the goals of this work are to:
Enhance mobility and accessibility for all – Study potential multimodal enhancements, install ADA-compliant crossings, new pavement markings, and other elements that foster a safe environment for all roadway users.
Beautify streetscape and improve visual cohesion – Create new opportunities for landscaping, lighting, benches, trash cans, and other amenities along sidewalks and roadways that make the neighborhood more attractive.
Enhance economic vitality – Complement ongoing real estate and economic development underway in Johnston Square in a manner that invites more visitation and improves quality of life.
Project Location
The Project will introduce improvements along Preston Street and Biddle Street between Guilford Avenue and Eden Street, an approximately 0.66-mile span.
Project Status
As of the fall of 2026, BCDOT has initiated the Planning and Preliminary Engineering phase of the project, which includes a corridor-wide assessment to evaluate roadways, pedestrian crossings, ADA ramps, landscaping elements, parking, lighting, and other infrastructure. Between the fall of 2026 and spring of 2027, BCDOT will:
Develop concept designs for improvements.
Introduce concept designs to communities and surrounding stakeholders during public engagement phase.
Create preliminary design plans with a preferred alternative based on public feedback, which will then progress to 100% design.
In the "Documents" section at the right side of this webpage, BCDOT has published a map developed by the Project team based on a review of existing conditions along this corridor.
Planned Improvements
- Bike network inclusivity and connectivity
- ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, sidewalks, and driveways
- Signal upgrades including audible and countdown pedestrian signals
- Enhanced crosswalks and pedestrian improvements at intersections
- Street amenities (landscaping, benches, trash cans, bike racks, bus shelter pads, etc.)
- Drainage and stormwater management (SWM) improvements
- Lighting installation/upgrades.
Public Engagement
BCDOT has scheduled a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting at The Hammond at 1100 Greenmount Avenue at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Agency planners, engineers, and other support staff will present details about BCDOT’s existing conditions assessment of the project corridor and collect feedback from attendees.
A WebEx link for virtual attendees is available below.
https://bmore.webex.com/bmore/j.php?MTID=m8bb9337f2afc0bfcd1cfe691bbae59a3
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