Community Rallies to Make Route 32 Safe
Our community still mourns the deaths of Mt. View Middle School student Vincent Woodward and his mother, Jennifer Kim, in a June 23 crash that occurred at the intersections of Route 32 and River Road, in Sykesville. Although residents along this stretch of highway have long complained about road safety issues, they feel frustrated by the lack of progress. Woodward and Kim’s tragic accident may serve as a catalyst for change.
Community leaders have begun a grassroots effort to push for new safety measures and hope to recruit liaisons from every neighborhood and organization impacted by the Route 32 corridor between Interstate 70 and the Carroll County line. Additionally, they seek the support of the community at large.
Howard Blackman, a resident of the Amberwoods neighborhood, has developed a website, www.makeroute32safe.com, to keep the community apprised of the group’s efforts. He asks that interested parties sign up online to receive e-mail updates, and he reports that nearly 180 families registered during the first two days the site was active.
Additionally, the Make Route 32 Safe group plans to meet with local politicians and Maryland State Highway representatives July 30 at 7 p.m. at the new West Friendship Volunteer Fire Station. The address is 12535 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Sykesville. Blackman encourages all interested community members to attend and explains that the meeting is “designed to let the Highway people talk, then we can ask questions one at a time with no outburst, no yelling.” The group does not wish the event to turn into an “emotional screaming match.”
Although some individuals find this area of Route 32 too risky to travel during rush hour, those who live near the highway obviously cannot avoid it. If you have witnessed an accident, a close call, or any other scary traffic incident in the area, the group asks that you go to its website to share your experience. Through strong organization, persistence, and large numbers, the group hopes to finally effect some positive changes along this dangerous thoroughfare.