Elected Officials, Local Leaders Laud $2M Arbutus Road Projects

Leaders of local community groups and elected officials gathered at the East Drive Shopping Center on Sept. 12 to mark $2 million in road projects in Arbutus.

They also enjoyed cake shaped like a paving machine.

The occasion marked an official conclusion of a project to upgrade Leeds Avenue from Linden Avenue to Southwestern Boulevard, the launch of a long-awaited project to resurface East Drive and Sulphur Spring Road from East Drive to Benson Avenue.

That's essentially the entire central Arbutus business district.

"It's a trifecta," said County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. "I feel good that we were able to invest in Arbutus."

Kamenetz was joined by County Councilman Tom Quirk—who advocated for the projects—Sen. Ed Kasemeyer, Dels. Steve DeBoy and James Malone, as well as representatives from Arbutus Business and Professional Association, Arbutus Community Association, Arbutus Improvement Association and Halethorpe Improvement Association.

"Everybody was united about what needs to be done here, which is to get this road resurfaced," Kamenetz said of East Drive. "The county heard you loud and clear."

Aside from the $1.8 million to upgrade Leeds Avenue with a new surface, curbs, storm drains, driveway aprons and sidewalks, the county is spending about $100,000 to resurface East Drive and about $75,000 to resurface Sulphur Spring Road.

Leeds Avenue "looks terrific," said AIA president Nikki Marlatt-Young. "It's like a whole new road."

The milling and resurfacing of East Drive will make the main road through Arbutus safer for drivers and pedestrians, said ACA president Carl Boyer.