Closed sidewalks and roadways are becoming an increasingly frequent problem in downtown Bethesda with several high-rise apartment buildings and luxury condo projects under construction at the same time. The sidewalk and road closures have led to questions about pedestrian safety and concerns from local businesses who say they may be harming their business.
This week the Montgomery County Council will propose legislation that may begin to address the problem.
Earlier this month, Bethesda blogger Robert Dyer posted photos of sidewalks closed on Montgomery Lane and Wisconsin, Fairmont and Woodmont avenues where developers are constructing buildings. During the summer, Bethesda Beat ran a similar post with photos of several sidewalk closures.
On Tuesday, the County Council is scheduled to introduce legislation that would require developers, construction firms or other parties to post a sign during construction that requires closing a right-of-way. The sign would include information about the duration of construction, the number of the permit number allowing the closure of the sidewalk or other right-of-way and a telephone number to contact the permit holder in case more information is needed.
County Council member Roger Berliner first pitched the sign idea during a meeting with county transportation officials in October. Berliner has previously said that the county’s road code prohibits crews from closing sidewalks for more than two weeks without providing accommodations on the same side of the street.
Many of the Bethesda closures direct pedestrians to the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street.
At the October meeting, Emil Wolanin, the county’s chief of traffic and engineering, said enforcement officials are finding that developers are given short-term closure permits, but then continue to close the sidewalks after the permits expire.
Berliner said the signs would be a way for residents and enforcement officials to know if developers or construction crews are extending closures for longer than permitted. Councilmembers Nancy Floreen, Nancy Navarro, Marc Elrich and Berliner are listed as sponsors of the new legislation.
