Ch. 274

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

WHEREAS, Legislation entitled "The Neighborhood Business Development
Program and Fund" was also enacted in 1995 in order to increase investment and
stimulate development in certain designated neighborhoods in order to revitalize those
neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Certain matching requirements for certain sidewalk projects limit the
State's flexibility in responding to the needs of revitalization areas and other areas with
high bicycle and pedestrian demand; and

. WHEREAS, It is the intent of the General Assembly to have its various
revitahzation programs and policies work together to achieve complimentary goals by
targeting investments in designated neighborhoods; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article -Transportation

8-630.

(a)     In this section, "urban highway" means a highway, other than an expressway,
that is:

(1)     (I) Constructed with a curb and gutter and an enclosed type storm
drainage system;

[(2)] (II) Located in an urban area and on which is located a public facility
that creates appreciable pedestrian traffic along the highway from adjacent areas; or

[(3)] (III) Located within urban boundaries as defined by the U.S. Census
Bureau; AND . .

(2)      PART OF THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

(b)     (1) Sidewalks shall be constructed at the time of construction or
reconstruction of an urban highway, or in response to the request of a local government
unless:

(i) The Administration determines that the cost or impacts of
constructing the sidewalks would be too great in relation to the need for them or their
probable use; or

(ii) The local government indicates that there is no need for sidewalks.

(2) Sidewalks constructed under this section shall be consistent with area
master plans and transportation plans adopted by the local planning commission.

(c)     (1) If sidewalks are constructed or reconstructed as part of a roadway
construction or reconstruction project, the Administration shall fund the sidewalk
construction or reconstruction as a part of the cost of the roadway project.

(2) [If] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION,
IF sidewalks are constructed or reconstructed in response to a request from a local

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