CATONSVILLE, Md. — A homeowner in Catonsville is working to gather support from her neighbors in a bid to install speed humps on her street after experiencing nine crashes into her yard over the past two years.
Krista Cantafio, who resides on Kenwood Avenue near Wilkens Avenue, must obtain signatures from 75 percent of property owners in the area before Baltimore County can proceed with the installation of the speed humps. The county is currently finalizing the design, but details on the exact number of signatures required have not yet been disclosed.
The latest incident occurred just last week when a vehicle veered off the road, stopping just feet from Cantafio's front door. "It was definitely eye opening," she remarked, highlighting the potential danger of the situation.
Drone footage of the area illustrates how drivers can easily lose control on the sharp curve of the road. Despite the county's previous efforts to enhance safety with rumble strips and updated signage, crashes have persisted.
According to Cantafio, the issue affects more than just her property. "It's not just me affected, it's the entire community. People don't ride their bikes down there, they don't let their children down there," she explained, emphasizing the broader implications for neighborhood safety.
Following a report on the crashes, Baltimore County conducted an additional month-long traffic study. Ron Snyder, a spokesperson for the county's Department of Public Works & Transportation, noted that multiple factors were assessed, including speed, traffic volume, and pedestrian activity, before recommending the installation of speed humps.
When questioned about the absence of stop signs or guardrails, county officials stated that the traffic volume on the intersecting street did not meet the criteria for a stop sign, and guardrails were deemed unnecessary as there are no fixed hazards present.
As part of the process, Cantafio is responsible for gathering the required signatures, a policy that has been in place for over 20 years to ensure community backing for traffic calming measures. "I don't really understand since I don't work for the county but I'll do what I have to do," she said, expressing her determination.
Support from her neighbors has been encouraging, with many expressing surprise at the frequency of the incidents. Once she receives guidance from the county, Cantafio will have 90 days to collect the necessary signatures. If successful, the county will finalize the design and schedule the project as funding allows.
If the petition fails, county officials have committed to exploring alternative solutions. In the meantime, the county has refreshed the rumble strips and plans to install additional warning signs. Cantafio recently spent $2,200 to restore her yard after the latest crash and hopes this will be the last time she faces such expenses.
Residents can request a traffic safety review through Baltimore County's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. If a road does not qualify for speed humps, other options such as speed display signs or targeted traffic enforcement can still be requested.
Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).
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