UPDATE: Harford County officials have denied the request to close Joppa Road.

Original story below…

JOPPA, MD—The Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company is speaking out against a proposal to close a portion of Joppa Road in Joppa.

The Maryland Transportation Authority is proposing the closure of Joppa Road at the CSX crossing in Joppa. JMVFC officials say this decision, if implemented, will have severe repercussions on the safety of the community, particularly in the area of Joppa Farm Road and Philadelphia Road (MD-7), an intersection already considered dangerous by many.

The intersection of Joppa Farm Road and Philadelphia Road has long been a cause for concern due to limited visibility and a high number of accidents.

“Closing Joppa Road at the CSX crossing will force additional traffic through this intersection, exacerbating the existing dangers and putting the well-being of our community at even greater risk,” said JMVFC in a Facebook post.

“Equally troubling is the potential impact on emergency response times for our fire and ambulance services,” JMVFC added. “Quick access to and from Joppatowne is paramount in emergency situations, and any delay caused by increased traffic flow and rerouting at the Joppa Farm Road and Philadelphia Road intersection or the highly congested intersection of Mountain Road (MD-152) and Pulaski Highway (US-40), could have dire consequences for our community.”

Officials are urging concerned residents to actively participate in a public hearing that has been scheduled for March 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Harford County Council Chambers, located at 212 S. Bond Street in Bel Air.

Those unable to attend are encouraged to send an email to [email protected].