MIDDLE RIVER, MD—Following a community meeting Wednesday evening, Maryland Delegates Ryan Nawrocki and Kathy Szeliga are urging immediate action to address what they describe as increasing traffic hazards along Eastern Boulevard in Baltimore County.
Both delegates called for swift changes, particularly a reduction in the speed limit, to prevent further accidents and fatalities on the state roadway.
“Eastern Boulevard has become one of the most hazardous roadways in Baltimore County, and it’s putting lives at risk every single day,” Nawrocki said in a statement. “Far too many serious crashes and fatalities have occurred along this corridor, and speed continues to be a major contributing factor. The time for studies is over. We need meaningful changes now, starting with a reduction in the speed limit.”
The meeting, hosted by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) at the Gunpowder VFW Post 10067, allowed community members to voice their concerns.
“What we heard last night was heartbreaking and deeply concerning with families fearing for their safety, daily near-misses, and a clear pattern of accidents that could have been prevented,” Szeliga said. “Residents have been pleading for help for years, and their voices should no longer be ignored. With traffic growing and development expanding, the danger is only escalating. We need immediate, concrete changes before more lives are lost.”
Nawrocki and Szeliga have been actively working with SHA and local stakeholders on solutions. During the 2025 legislative session, they supported House Bill 780, which would have granted SHA authority to lower speed limits by up to 5 mph on certain state highways, including dangerous corridors like Eastern Boulevard. The bill passed the House but failed in the Senate.
During the meeting, a community leader suggested that SHA designate the portion of Eastern Boulevard in question as a “suburban activity center,” a classification that typically recommends a 35 mph speed limit — lower than some current posted limits. The delegates are urging SHA to adopt this guidance and reduce speeds accordingly.
“The chronic speeding is both a nuisance and a deadly factor in crash after crash along this stretch,” Nawrocki added. “The state’s traffic standards support reducing the speed limit here, and we’re calling on SHA to implement that change now before more lives are lost.”
The delegates reiterated their commitment to working with residents, SHA, and local officials until concrete safety improvements are implemented.
Photo via Pixabay
