Leggett, Berliner, Roshdieh Celebrate Pedestrian Safety Improvements with Friends of White Flint and Coalition for Smarter Growth

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Today, County Executive Ike Leggett participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for one of dozens of pedestrian safety improvement projects recently completed or planned in White Flint by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) that support the area’s continuing transformation into a walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented community. Joining Leggett were County Council President Roger Berliner, MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh, Friends of White Flint Executive Director Amy Ginsburg and Coalition for Smarter Growth Montgomery Advocacy Manager Pete Tomao.

 

“We are here to serve the community, so I value the support from residents and groups, such as the Friends of White Flint and the Coalition for Smarter Growth, as we create an environment that supports a first-rate, multimodal transportation system,” said Leggett. “Building a balanced, comprehensive network that encourages more walking, bicycling and transit use is our path forward to greater economic progress and shared prosperity.”

 

To enhance walkability, bikeability and access to high quality transit options in White Flint, MCDOT has several major projects underway:

 

·         Under Construction - White Flint Western Workaround: A major transportation project that is transforming existing super blocks into smaller, more “walkable” streets to create a pedestrian-friendly community where residents and visitors can walk to work, shops and transit. The project includes reconstruction of the Executive Boulevard/Old Georgetown Road intersection and protected bike lanes on Towne Road.  Follow the progress on Twitter at #Whiteflintwest.

 

·         Launching October 2 - RideOn extRa: Limited stop, peak period service running every 10 minutes between the Lakeforest Transit Center and the Medical Center Metro featuring real time information, specially branded buses with WiFi and USB ports, and other amenities.

 

·         Launched - Executive Connector: Combines three existing Ride On bus routes to provide better service every 10 minutes during rush hours at six stops along Executive Boulevard and East Jefferson Street, between Old Georgetown and Montrose Road, towards the White Flint or Twinbrook Metrorail Stations.

 

·         Coming in Spring 2018 - Bike Share:  Five stations will be added that connect with the regional Capital Bikeshare system.

 

“Friends of White Flint is delighted by the County's enthusiasm for partnering with the community to enhance pedestrian safety in the Pike District,” said Ginsburg.  “We are excited to work with MCDOT on many future pedestrian improvements that will make walking in the White Flint area a pleasant, efficient, and safe experience.”

 

Smaller-scale improvements also help to enhance safety. MCDOT recently paved pathways connecting the MD 355 Commuter Lot with sidewalks and -- through striping – has or will create high visibility crosswalks at 25 locations, including:

 

o   Executive Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road

o   Executive Boulevard and Nicholson Lane

o   Executive Boulevard and Marinelli Road

o   Nicholson Lane and Citadel Avenue/Huff Court

o   Trade Street and Old Georgetown Road

o   Marinelli Road and Chapman Avenue

o   Citadel Avenue and Old Georgetown Road

o   Nicholson Lane and the road leading to White Flint Plaza

o   Across the driveway next to Quincy’s on Woodglen Drive

o   Grand Park Avenue and Old Georgetown Road

o   November 2017: Across all driveways on Executive Boulevard/East Jefferson Street – 15 locations

 

"Over the past year, working with our partners at the Montgomery County Department of Transportation and the State Highway Administration, the Pike District has received automatic walk signals and now brand-new crosswalks,” said Tomao. “Working together, we hope to continue this progress. We would not be here today without the commitment and dedication of our elected officials.”

 

MCDOT is coordinating with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration on improvements to intersections along MD 355, a state road.

 

MCDOT has also committed to designing and constructing new crosswalks, installing pedestrian signals, and/or creating mid-block crossings at the following 11 locations:

 

o   Three projects that are part of the White Flint Western Workaround:

§ 6000 Executive Boulevard – A new crosswalk and associated pedestrian signals on the east leg of the intersection across Executive Boulevard.

§ MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) at Grand Park Avenue –A new crosswalk and pedestrian signals on the south leg of MD 187.

§ Montrose Parkway at Towne Road – A new crosswalk and pedestrian signals across the east leg of Montrose Parkway.

o   Nicholson Lane at Woodglen Drive – Install a new crosswalk and associated pedestrian signals on the west leg of the intersection across Nicholson Lane.

o   Executive Boulevard (between 6000 & 6130) – Install a new mid-block crosswalk at an appropriate location between the two signals.

o   Citadel Avenue at McGrath Boulevard – Install a new crosswalk on all four legs of the intersection.

o   MD 355 (Rockville Pike) at Nicholson Lane – Install a new crosswalk and pedestrian signals on the south leg of MD 355. (pending SHA approval).

o   Marinelli Road – Install a new mid-block crosswalk between MD 355 (Rockville Pike) and Executive Boulevard.

o   Strand Drive at Executive Boulevard – Install a new crosswalk at the unsignalized intersection across Executive Boulevard. 

o   Chapman Avenue and Old Georgetown Road – Design of ADA ramps and new crosswalk installation.

o   Entrance to The Wisconsin and The Grand on Executive Boulevard –  Design of ADA ramps and new crosswalk installation.

 

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Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Esther Bowring 240-777-7155