Falls Gateway Project
The Jones Falls Gateway Project aims to construct a contiguous and attractive multi-use trail, which reinforces connections along the Jones Falls Trail and restores trail connectivity to the Penn Station multi-modal hub. Working alongside Friends of the Jones Falls, Penn Station Partners, Baltimore City Department of Transportation, and the Rails To Trails Coalition, local residents and business owners, and a host of other key partners, we will accomplish this goal through both public space/placemaking and right-of-way/trail improvements.
There are 3 key elements of the Masterplan:
Upgrades to three distinct underpasses in the way of lighting and staged materials currently in place. The lighting provides additional security, and the removal of staged materials helps create public place making opportunities. The impacted underpasses are
in the following areas: CXS Underpass, North Avenue Underpass, and Howard Street UnderpassShifting of the Jones Falls Trail to the south side of the project catch area. This provides adjustments along Falls Road continuing down to Lanvale Street. The goal is designed to develop options for how to keep the trail on the Jones Falls side of the street throughout the corridor, widening and improving the trail, and calming car traffic.
The inclusion of art and additional public place making enhancements throughout the project scope. These enhancements come in the way of lighting, murals, public alley conversions for entertainment and social gatherings, and additional pocket art opportunities along the streets and bridges throughout the project area.
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Artistic / Aesthetic Enhancements
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Maryland Ave Bridge Mural
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West Trenton Alley Activation
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Wayfinding and Branding
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Artistic Lighting Enhancements
Right-of-Way and Trail Improvements
Project Timeline
Conceptual Plan - 2020
Midtown received a $25K grant from the Goldseker Foundation to produce the Falls Gateway Master Plan. In partnership with Mahan Rykiel and RK&K, the Masterplan was developed to include several improvements to areas starting at the CSX underpass and continuing southbound towards Charles Street.
Engineering Design - 2024 and 2025
Midtown and our community partners are working with RK&K to develop the engineering plan for the project, including options for how to keep the trail on the Jones Falls side of the street throughout the corridor, widening and improving the trail, and calming car traffic.
Community Engagement - Fall 2024
October 2024 - Phase 1: Seek community feedback on the current state of the Jones Falls Trail/Falls Road corridor.
November 2024 - Phase 2: Seek feedback on potential trail and roadway design.
Construction - 2026
We hope to have the design completed, the funding in place, and the permits pulled to begin construction in 2026.
We wish to thank our partners for their help in making this possible:
Bikemore, Central Baltimore Partnership, Department of Planning, Department of Transportation, Friends of the Jones Falls, Goldseker Foundation, MDOT, Rails to Trails, National Endowment of the Arts, Baltimore Community Foundation, The Baltimore National Heritage Area and Rec and Parks.