Leeds Avenue Slated for Overhaul

County officials today announced a $3.16 million project to improve Leeds Avenue--a longtime bane of pedestrians, the disabled, and those pushing strollers.

Work is scheduled to begin on sidewalks, curbs and gutters, storm drains, and a new road surface from Linden Avenue to Beechfield, county executive Kevin Kamenetz told Arbutus Patch.

"We're moving ahead with a complete reconstruction project," Kamanetz said.

Lacking a continuous sidewalk on either side of the street from Linden Avenue to Southwestern Boulevard, Leeds is a route that many people take to the supermarket and other destinations in Arbutus.

Leeds doesn't have curbs, stop signs or traffic lights, or crosswalks. Residents complain that it is impossible to safely navigate by wheelchair.

, a citizen's group emerged to pressure the government to improve Leeds Avenue. A call to Leeds United Pedestrians for comment has not yet been returned.

"Leeds Avenue is an important route, so this is a big win," said First District councilman Tom Quirk. "I'm very happy to see it."

The design and bidding on the project are expected to be completed by July, and construction will begin as soon as weather permits.

"It could happen this fall, but more likely in the spring [of 2012]," Quirk said. "You don't want to be tearing up the road in the middle of winter."

The project is expected to take 12-18 months, according to Kamenetz.