Takoma Park Community Center & Library parking lot resurfacing

The rear parking lot at the Takoma Park Community Center and Library at 7500 Maple Avenue is being resurfaced this week. This work is expected to take approximately 3-5 days, weather permitting. During construction, vehicle access to the rear lot will remain available, with traffic entering and exiting through the Philadelphia Avenue entrance. Vehicle access to Grant Avenue will be periodically disrupted. Pedestrian access from Philadelphia Avenue may also be temporarily affected; a detour will be in place during these times.

The contractor has been advised of student pick-up and drop-off times. Parking will be disrupted and unavailable at times, and vehicle passage through the rear parking lot will be disrupted periodically.

MCDOT to unveil sidewalk and safety plans for Glen Haven ES and Sligo MS walksheds

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is inviting the community to an in-person public meeting to review and provide feedback on proposed new sidewalk construction and safety enhancements near Glen Haven Elementary School in Wheaton and Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring. MCDOT will present concept plans for these vital infrastructure improvements as part of a countywide initiative focused on identifying safe and accessible routes for students walking and biking to school. The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria at Glen Haven Elementary School, which is located at 10900 Inwood Avenue in Wheaton.

MCDOT has already completed walkability studies for both schools, evaluating existing conditions and identifying needed improvements within each school’s walkshed. These studies are the basis for the proposed plans, which are geared toward significantly boosting safety and accessibility for young pedestrians and cyclists.

The presentation will cover concept plans for the following key improvements:

New Sidewalk Construction

| Bucknell Drive | Between Evans Drive and Windham Lane |

| Glenhaven Drive | Between Dennis Avenue and Gridley Lane |

| Grandlin Road | Between Dennis Avenue and Gridley Lane |

| Plyers Mill Road | Between Georgia Avenue and Glenhaven Drive |

| Republic Road | Between Dunkirk Drive and Huntley Place |

| Windham Lane | Between Inwood Avenue and Sligo Creek Trail |

Pedestrian Safety Enhancements

Dennis Avenue: Installation of curb extensions at several locations between Amherst Avenue and Julep Avenue. These permanent structures are designed to slow turning movements, and will replace the existing temporary flex posts, providing a more robust safety measure.

If you cannot attend the meeting, you can still provide feedback by email: Send comments to walkyourway@montgomerycountymd.gov or by phone at 240-777-2170.

Submit all feedback by 6 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2025.

New traffic signals on Georgia Avenue in Wheaton (Photos)

The Maryland State Highway Administration has installed new traffic signals at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Price Avenue in Wheaton. However, they are still covered, and have not been activated yet. My understanding is that these are standard traffic and crossing signals, which will operate on a timer, rather than the type of crossing signals that only stop traffic when a pedestrian pushes a button to cross. This project has been in the works for several years, but needed approval from MDSHA to move forward.

New entrance for Long Branch Community Center

New entrance from Piney Branch Road

A new entrance to the Long Branch Community Center at 8700 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring has been completed. On or about April 15, 2024, Purple Line contractors will close the existing entrance, and the new entrance will be the permanent access point for vehicles and pedestrians. The new entrance is designed to align with the traffic signalized intersection at Barron Street. Note that Barron Street will continue to be one-way northbound between Gilbert Place and Piney Branch Road.

Montgomery County police to conduct saturation patrols all St. Patrick's Day weekend

Montgomery County police will be conducting saturation patrols across the jurisdiction this weekend, in an attempt to deter and catch drunk drivers. Almost 50% of traffic-related deaths on St. Patrick's Day weekend historically have been caused by people driving while intoxicated, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Deployment of the full Alcohol Initiatives Unit, and overtime pay for the extra officers on the streets this weekend, are being partially-funded by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. Joining County officers on patrol this weekend will be cruisers from the Maryland State Police - Rockville Barrack N, the Maryland Transportation Authority police, the County’s Sheriff’s Department, and the Maryland-National Capital Park police.

“If you plan to drink, do not drive,” Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said in a statement. “Our officers will be conducting saturation patrols throughout the County and arresting intoxicated drivers. The tragedy that occurs when people get behind the wheel intoxicated is 100 percent preventable.”

County officials are urging those who plan to drink, and do not already have a plan to safely return home, to utilize the SoberRide program. The free ride-home program is offered through the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) in partnership with Lyft. Promotional codes for Lyft will be posted online at 11:00 AM on Sunday, March 17, on SoberRide.com. The codes are valid for up to $15-off on one ride home taken in Lyft’s Washington, D.C., coverage area from noon on Sunday, March 17, until midnight on Monday, March 18. The number of codes is limited, and participants must be 21 or older. Officials also suggest using the County's Ride On bus service.

“There are ample ride services that will get you home safety,” County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin said. “If you are choosing to celebrate with alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day, plan out your ride home ahead of time to keep our shared roadways safe for everyone.”

Pedestrian-activated crosswalk signal now functioning in downtown Silver Spring (Photos)

The new traffic signal at the crosswalk on Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring is now active. It is located by the Whole Foods Market. A pedestrian can activate the signal when crossing Fenton, turning the lights red to stop traffic.

Fenton Street crosswalk HAWK signal now flashing in Silver Spring (Photos)

The new HAWK signal over the crosswalk by Whole Foods Market on Fenton Street in Silver Spring has been hooked up to electricity. Yellow lights are now flashing on the crossbar. The pedestrian control boxes were not yet functional as of last evening, but should be very soon.

HAWK signal being installed at Fenton Street crosswalk by Whole Foods

A HAWK signal is being installed at a busy crosswalk on Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring. There is already a crosswalk there outside the Whole Foods Market. The HAWK signal is placed at crosswalks that are not governed by traffic signals. They are normally dark and inactive until activated by a pedestrian, triggering a yellow-to-red cycle that stops automotive traffic.

Sidewalk extension proposed for Decatur Avenue in Kensington

This Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 7:00 PM, a virtual public hearing will be held on a proposed sidewalk segment for Decatur Avenue in Kensington. The sidewalk would be on the south side of Decatur, and extend from 3900 Decatur east to the existing sidewalk alongside Kaiser Permanente at Connecticut Avenue. Four mature oak trees and two maple trees will be cut down for the new sidewalk.

Planners will present the proposal, discuss costs and tentative schedules, and take feedback from the public. To participate in the public hearing, go to the meeting website, and follow these instructions from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation:

To attend the hearing or to testify, click on the above link and download Adobe Connect when prompted. Adobe Connect uses a telephonic bridge to eliminate echo and feedback during the hearing. 

To connect:

• Mute your computer speakers;
• From a landline or cellular telephone, dial 1-800-832-0736;
• When prompted to enter the “Meeting Room,” enter 9081014 and press # to establish a connection;
• In the Attendees box, find the number beside your name or telephone number. Enter the number on your telephone keypad and press # to merge your phone and computer.
• To reduce the bandwidth for the hearing, do not enable video.

HAWK signals added to Bel Pre Road in Aspen Hill

Montgomery County Department of Transportation has installed HAWK crossing signals at three crosswalks along Bel Pre Road between Georgia Avenue and Layhill Road in Aspen Hill. The pedestrian-activated crossing signals are located at Tynewick Drive, Weeping Willow Drive, and Astrodome Drive/North Gate Drive. Here is a handy guide MCDOT has released on how pedestrians and drivers interact with HAWK signals under current traffic regulations:

Petition urges M-NCPPC to repair Sligo Creek Golf Course parking lot

Silver Spring resident Alan Bowser has created an online petition calling on the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to repair the parking lot at Sligo Creek Golf Course, located at 9701 Sligo Creek Parkway. The entrance driveway and lot's surfaces are currently in terrible shape, posing safety hazards for users, particularly those with disabilities. As of this morning, the petition was about to reach its initial 200 signature goal.

New crosswalk in Wheaton Triangle (Photos)

A new crosswalk with flashing signal posts has been added to Grandview Avenue alongside the new Montgomery County government office building, which has its entrance at 2425 Reedie Drive. The lights appear to be still under wraps, but the crosswalk is open with signage, pedestrian-activated switch, ADA-compliant ramps, and bollards in the center of Grandview. The crosswalk should get a lot of use, as it provides access to and from local businesses, the office building, the public parking garage, the Wheaton Metro station, and the new Wheaton town square event space.

Wet paint at Downtown Silver Spring as Ellsworth Place reverts to pedestrian street

Police-style tape and barrels roped off a section of Ellsworth Drive yesterday at Downtown Silver Spring. New art just painted onto the street was drying. The colorful design comes as the street transitions to pedestrian-only use for the summer.

Rainbow crosswalk painted in downtown Silver Spring

A new crosswalk was painted on Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring yesterday. It's not your typical crosswalk. Instead of the standard white paint, it is in a variety of pastel colors. The paint was still wet and blocked off from pedestrians last night.

Kemp Mill Estates sidewalk virtual public hearing set for April 22

A public hearing on new sidewalks proposed for the beautiful Kemp Mill Estates neighborhood has been converted into a "virtual public hearing" due to the coronavirus pandemic. Residents and other interested parties can participate in the online hearing by using this link to log in at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

The new sidewalks proposed would be along the north side of Hermleigh Road between Kemp Mill Road and Stonington Place; along the south side of Stonington Place between Hermleigh and Lovejoy Street; and along the east side of Lovejoy between 11525 Lovejoy and Stonington.

Existing cut-through path between
Lovejoy Street and Auth Lane

Also included in the project would be the formalization and paving of the existing informal walking path between Lovejoy and Auth Lane.

If you miss the live public hearing, you can request audio and video recordings by emailing the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.

Wheaton Gateway project to open sidewalk on weekends

Developers of the Wheaton Gateway project at the corner of Veirs Mill Road and University Boulevard East have, as promised, announced some changes to improve pedestrian safety around the property that is home to the former Howard Johnson hotel and restaurant (more recently known as The Ambassador apartments). Through the end of February, they say the sidewalk will only be closed to pedestrians on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

This should help some during the heaviest commuting times, and especially in the evening rush hours, when the sun sets early at this time of year. The developers also say that, as a result, demolition work will pause on weekends this month.

A second change, which they alluded to in an announcement last week, is that flaggers will now be present during sidewalk closures. As I reported last week, many pedestrians were walking into (or worse, with their back to) oncoming traffic to avoid the long pedestrian detour around the site.

Wheaton Gateway developers warn jaywalkers about safety, potential tickets at site

The developers of the Wheaton Gateway project on the site of the former Howard Johnson/Ambassador Apartments are asking pedestrians to obey the current detour in place around the property at the corner of Veirs Mill Road and University Boulevard West. They say that flaggers will be added at the site to assist in directing vehicles and pedestrians before the end of the month, as well as other "safety enhancements." But they also warn that police may ticket pedestrians who enter the roadway to get around the closed sidewalk.

Ambassador pedestrian detour

This has been an ongoing issue when sidewalks have closed in downtown Bethesda, and no pedestrian walkway is provided. Despite the dangers, some people will inevitably walk into oncoming traffic to avoid a long detour. Pedestrian safety advocates have asked Montgomery County officials to either bar sidewalks from being closed, or mandate pedestrian walkways on the side of the closure, to address this problem.

Photo/map via Wheaton Gateway

External demolition of The Ambassador to begin today in Wheaton

Crews have been demolishing the interior of The Ambassador at 2715 University Boulevard West in Wheaton since September. This morning, lane and sidewalk closures will go into effect alongside the property on University and Veirs Mill Road, as exterior demolition begins. The former Howard Johnson/Best Western hotel structure will take four or five months to bring down, according to the contractors.

Pedestrian detour around the Ambassador-related
closures along University and Veirs Mill

Here's what to watch out for starting today, weather permitting: The sidewalk will be closed around the property on both University and Veirs Mill. The far right lane of westbound University will be closed alongside the building. One potential choke point to prepare for is if you are turning right from Veirs Mill onto University, you're going to have to go one additional lane to the left in a short distance than you regularly would.

There will be signage warning of the sidewalk and lane closures on both roads. All of the closures will continue through the end of the demolition next spring.