MCDOT's Neighborhood Greenways Aim to Make Local Roads More Friendly for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 27, 2020

Four local streets in Montgomery County will be transformed into more friendly roadways for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-vehicular users starting on Friday, Aug. 28, as the Department of Transportation (MCDOT) unveils the newest “Shared Streets” in a program that encourages roads to be shared by vehicles and other users.

Shared Streets “Temporary Neighborhood Greenways” limit vehicular traffic to local traffic only, providing access to residents, service providers and deliveries. The concept restricts other traffic to support shared outdoor uses in response to the COVID-19 health crisis.

The streets to be unveiled on Friday are:

• Greenwood Ave. in Long Branch. Length of 0.5 miles between Kennebec Avenue and just south of Piney Branch Road.
• Kennebec Avenue in Silver Spring, Length of 0.4 miles between Sligo Creek Parkway and Long Branch Trail.
• Sudbury Road in Silver Spring. Length of 0.7 miles between Plymouth Street and the northern terminus just south of Franklin Avenue.
• Windham Lane in Wheaton. Length of 0.9 miles between Amherst Avenue and Sligo Creek Trail.

A complete list of all Shared Streets locations and initiatives, including maps, can be viewed at MCDOT’s Shared Streets website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dot/sharedstreets.

Previously established Shared Street pilot programs that continue to be available are on Grove Street in Silver Spring and Holdridge Road in Glenmont Hills.

Future Shared Street programs are planned for Silver Spring’s Woodland Drive South (from Spring Street to Flora Lane) and Woodland Drive North (from Forest Glen Road to Amherst Avenue at Windham Lane).

Shared Streets programs have also included the partial closing of streets so local restaurants could expand their outdoor seating during the health crisis while maintaining ADA-compliant pedestrian access along sidewalks. MCDOT’s efforts have supported the programs of Downtown Bethesda’s “Streetery,” Silver Spring’s “Streetdine” and Wheaton’s "Streetery."

Shared Streets follows many guidelines in the Countywide bicycle master plan. The streets identified for temporary traffic calming measures provide access to trails, dining and shopping. They are generally in areas lacking sidewalks or other pedestrian features. The program places traffic control signage at the start of each stretch informing drivers of travel restrictions that aim to narrow roadways and slow traffic speed. Additional signage directs the public to the project website and MCDOT twitter account (@MCDOTNow) for more information.

The Shared Streets concept supports the County’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate severe injuries and fatalities from traffic-related incidents by 2030.

Reduced and slower traffic aims to enable people to walk, ride bicycles or use scooters without competing against fast-moving vehicles. Although MCDOT has been planning Neighborhood Greenways projects for some time, the rapid and temporary implementation at this time was inspired in response to the health crisis.

“Neighborhood Greenways are a traffic calming and street improvement measure we have been working toward and that neighborhoods have asked us to consider for some time,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “MCDOT’s team has identified opportunities for temporary installations that provide connections between densely populated neighborhoods and points of interest like existing trails, commercial centers and Metro Stations. The health crisis and related community requests inspired us to advance this concept as a part of Shared Streets, and we hope that these efforts support Montgomery County residents and their expressed desire for safe and socially distanced outdoor activity as we all do our best to stay active, connected and safe during COVID-19.”

For transportation updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, subscribe to MCDOT news releases or subscribe to MCDOT’s ‘Go Montgomery!’ newsletter.

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Release ID: 20-161
Media Contact: Hannah Henn 240-777-8389