Pedestrian Safety a Concern on Rockville Pike

White Flint officials discussed measures to make the developing area safer for pedestrians at a meeting Wednesday

September 4, 2014 11:00 a.m.

The organization Friends of White Flint hosted a community meeting to facilitate a discussion about the growing need for new safety measures to protect pedestrians in response to a number of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists being hit by drivers over the summer on Rockville Pike.

Two accidents which occurred July and August in particular were the cornerstone of Wednesday night’s discussion. In particular, the intersection of Rockville Pike and Executive Boulevard where 24-year-old Matthew Papirmeister, of Bethesda, was fatally struck was one focus.

These accidents have reinforced many community members’ feelings that greater steps should be taken and changes need to be made in order to make the developing White Flint area a safer and more walkable community.

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In the 30-year development plan presented by Dee Metz, a representative from the County Executive’s office, she explained how major changes need to be made. These preliminary plans include rerouting Executive Boulevard and creating smaller roads on a grid pattern in order to diffuse traffic and make blocks shorter.

Though this is only one part of the 30-year plan, some of the new and improved roads have been forward-funded by the County and are predicted to begin construction within as earlier as the next nine months.

Throughout the pedestrian safety discussion many community members offered up ideas for solutions and articulated areas of concern.

One main area of concern for community members was the lack of sufficient crosswalks and adequate lighting for pedestrians to walk safely on Rockville Pike. The issue struck up a minor debate about whether or not the road was too fast, more lights should be added or if the road should just be made narrower.

In addition to pedestrian safety, bicycle safety measures were also addressed at the meeting. Representatives from the County Council spoke about the potential implementation of cycle tracks, which separate cyclists from motorists on a roadway.

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Councilman Hans Riemer spoke briefly at the close of the meeting saying that these discussions were “so important to the county.” Additionally Riemer discussed the creation of a “Pedestrian Master Plan” which is something Montgomery County has never had previously.

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