Residents of Columbia's rapidly growing River Hill village and the rural area that borders it have a common concern as suburban development spreads westward: traffic.
"Geographically, they are now one community," said Howard County Councilwoman Mary Lorsung, a District 4 Democrat who met earlier this month with River Hill and Trotter Road Citizens Association representatives to discuss the changing road network. "It's a plus that they have that common ground."
Residents of River Hill -- Columbia's westernmost community and the last of its 10 villages -- and the Trotter Road group are concerned that traffic safety measures planned for the area aren't adequate to protect the growing number of pedestrians, bicyclists and commuters, especially once more bicycle paths are built and the River Hill pool opens in the spring.
The Rouse Co., Columbia's developer, projects that River Hill, the community west of the Middle Patuxent River, will expand from about 400 homes to nearly 1,900 housing units during the next four years.
The County Council likely will pass a resolution Tuesday to allow the closure of portions of Trotter Road -- the winding, narrow country road that bisects River Hill -- just north and south of the new Route 32, a $28.5 million project expected to open as early as fall. The 4.4-mile, four-lane Route 32 project is intended to serve River Hill and relieve congestion on meandering, two-lane Route 32, also known as Guilford Road.
Trotter Road likely will be closed off at two points in the spring once the Rouse Co. completes construction of several new roads linking River Hill with both the new east-west highway and Guilford Road. The new roads serving River Hill's development -- Summer Sunrise Drive and Great Star Drive -- are expected to reduce traffic on Trotter Road, which pleases residents.
"The speed and volume on [Trotter Road] is just awesome," said Shirley Geis, president of the Trotter Road Citizens Association. "It makes it very difficult for the people who live here."
But even with the new highway and connector roads scheduled to open in the next year, residents are wary of traffic hazards and are advocating these measures:
* A traffic light at Great Star Drive and Guilford Road, a crossroads expected to open in the spring. Guilford Road will continue to be the main artery for commuters from the area and farther west until new Route 32 opens.
When the new highway opens, the traffic light could be re-evaluated, residents say, adding that rush-hour traffic on Guilford Road now is heavy and site distance from future Great Star Drive is poor.
County and state officials say the intersection must meet federal standards for traffic volume to warrant a light.
* A four-way stop at Summer Sunrise Drive and Trotter Road, where the River Hill pool is being built. Stop signs are planned only for Trotter Road.
"We'd like to see a four-way stop to allow people walking and riding bikes easy and safe access to the pool," said David Berson, River Hill's representative on the Columbia Council. "We don't want them to have to dodge cars."
James Irvin, county public works director, said the intersection probably does not warrant a four-way stop under traffic-count guidelines. But he said the agency is concerned about pedestrian traffic at the intersection and plans to work with the community to increase safety.
"The key is where people end up parking and the walking routes," Mr. Irvin said. "They'll develop as the [pool] goes into service. We'll have to watch what goes on and deal with the problems."
* A four-way stop at Red Clover Lane and Trotter Road once homes are built on the east side of Trotter Road across from River Hill's Pheasant Ridge community. Mr. Berson said the intersection would be a natural crossing point for children using paths between River Hill and the planned Trotter Ridge development.
"That's a very fast part of Trotter Road," he said.
But Mr. Irvin said it's unlikely that stop signs would be placed on Trotter Road at that intersection.
* A traffic light at the northern entry to River Hill, at Trotter Road and Route 108, a heavily traveled highway. Mr. Irvin said the county is working on other improvements, such as adding turn lanes.