Shady Grove Road To Be Improved

The Division of Highway Services (DHS) received about $6.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to improve seven roadways including more than 10 lane miles of Shady Grove Road from I-270 to Darnestown Road. The deteriorated condition of all of these roads made them high priority projects for the County.

DHS’s repairs include removing and replacing pavement surfaces, defective curbs, and sidewalks; full depth pavement patching; and installing pavement line markings and raised, reflective pavement markers. All seven projects should be completed in fall 2011.

In addition to Shady Grove Road the other roadways are:

• Nearly 10 lane miles of Barnesville Road from Mt. Ephraim Road to Maryland Route 117;
• About four-and-one-half lane miles Randolph Road from east of Nebel Street to Rock Creek Bridge;
• About 3.6 lane miles of Forest Glen Road from Maryland Route 97 to Brunett Avenue;
• More than 10 lane miles of Old Columbia Pike from Maryland Route 198 to U.S. Route 29, Columbia Pike on-ramp;
• Nearly five lane miles of Travilah Road from Dufief Road to River Road; and
• 3.7 lane miles of Wightman Road from Brink Road to Goshen Road.

Altogether Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation received nearly $15.4 million in ARRA funding to help improve the County’s economy and transportation infrastructure while jump starting the ecomomy.

The Division of Transit Services (DTS) also received $6.55 million to replace existing buses with 12 energy efficient, diesel-electric hybrids and one clean diesel bus. The buses will be delivered in September.

Information about other ARRA funds awarded to the County is available on the County’s website.

Car Plows Into PNC Bank

This afternoon shortly before 4:00 pm, a Toyota sedan turning left from Monroe northbound onto East Jefferson apparently lost control, hopped the curb, and struck the PNC Bank building on the corner.

Customers and workers in the offices above reported no immediately evident injuries.

The vehicle caused a collapsed wall:

“I work up above,” said one onlooker. “I heard a crash and said to myself, ‘That’s no fender bender.’”

Montgomery County police and fire were on the scene and the situation was stable by 4:30.

Road Work To Close I-270 Tonight (Weds)

Interstate 270 northbound between West Montgomery Avenue and Shady Grove will be closed tonight into Thursday morning.

Workers will be installing an overhead sign. Lanes will be closed in 15 minute intervals from midnight to 4 a.m. One lane will close at 9 p.m. and two lanes will close at 11 p.m.

The local lanes will remain open during these closures.

Drive with caution!

Great Falls Road Closure This Saturday

Scheduled maintenance will create a detour on great Falls Road this Saturday (Dec. 4), according to the City of Rockville. This from the traffic department:

The Department of Public Works (DPW) will install a sanitary sewer house connection at 402 Great Falls Road on Saturday, Dec. 4. This work requires Great Falls Road to be closed to vehicular traffic in both directions in front of 402 Great Falls Road, between Monument Street/Rose Petal Way and Dale Drive. All through traffic will be detoured around this location from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Construction work will not impact or restrict access into driveways. Work will take place weather permitting.

Trucks, Traffic And China At The Mayor And Council Meeting 11-22-10

This week’s Mayor and Council meeting was so short, it might have been a record when it ended at 9:25 PM. We provide this brief summary of each meeting to keep you informed.

Present: Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio, Councilmembers John Britton, Bridget Newton, and Mark Pierzchala.

City Manager’s Report

Scott Ullery passed along timely and encouraging information from the Maryland Chief of Police Association. Through 2009 the number of people injured in automobile accidents has declined and fatalities are fewer than last year and the year before in Maryland.

The brand new Chamber of Commerce “Rockville Rewards” program launched and we are all encouraged to purchase a card to help 15 area nonprofits. Marketing consultant, Jane Meyer explained the membership cards will offer two types of deals for either everyday savings or more substantive weekly offers from local businesses. Each card is $25 and the details are now available at RockvilleRewards.com.

Appointments

The Mayor and Council appointed Don Hadley to the Planning Commission and John Beins and Marcia L. Rehm to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.

Construction and Cars

The expansion of the fitness facilities at the Rockville Senior Center can begin since the Mayor and Council awarded a contract to CFI Construction Corporation of Rockville for $1,917,000.00 for the work. Also eight 2011 Crown Victorias will be purchased for use as police cars at an estimated cost of $24,960 each for a total acquisition of about $199,680.

Rockville Sister City Corporation’s Report from Trip to Jiaxing, China

Former Mayor Jim Coyle, Sister City delegate to Jiaxing, presented the report and recommendations. Jiaxing seems more interested in development and business rather than cultural exchanges. During the discussion, everyone hoped the cultural exchanges would eventually follow so the relationship was worth pursuing. The Sister City Board will draft a letter to be sent to Jiaxing officials asking them to evaluate the current relationship and the steps they would like to take to move the process forward.

Draft Municipal Growth Element (MGE) To Amend the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan

Staff presented the revised document and received final direction on the draft document which will be returned to the Mayor and Council for adoption at the December 6, 2010 meeting. Mayor Marcuccio asked for an explanation because she wanted to make sure that when the Comprehensive Master Plan is reviewed, that this document could be changed. It was explained that this document will become part of the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan. If the Mayor and Council want to amend the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan in the future, they can.

Community Block Grant Application

The Mayor and Council approved allocating grants from the City of Rockville’s Federal CDBG funds through Montgomery County in the anticipated amount of $304,000, including the allowable 15% of the fund amount for public service agencies which is $45,600. Nine different programs at seven agencies applied with grant requests totaled $160,000 but only three could be chosen for the $45,600 possible:

• Rockville Community Ministries, Elderly and Disabilities Ministries $15,600
• Rockville Presbyterian Church, Rainbow Place $15,000
• Stepping Stones Shelter, Evening Case Management Services $15,000

The rest of the funds would be designated as follows:

• Rockville Housing Enterprises (RHE) for public housing improvements at David Scull Court $111,202
• Rockville’s Single-Family Rehabilitation Program and administration $97,198
• Rehabilitation program staffing $50,000

Truck And Neighborhood Traffic Management

The Mayor and Council discussed the Neighborhood Traffic Management and Truck Traffic on Residential Streets. Excessive traffic volumes on residential streets are undesirable and contribute to increased noise, vibration, and air pollution, in addition to possible deterioration of the streets themselves.

Since the Traffic and Transportation Commission has not reviewed the existing Guidelines for Neighborhood Traffic Management since 2005 when they unanimously agreed that they are adequate and follow national standards, the Mayor and Council decided to have the Traffic and Transportation Commission take another look at the policy.
Councilmember Pierzchala asked for an explanation on the authority of the Mayor and Council with regards to traffic restrictions. They can put truck restrictions on any road.

Councilmember Newton believes there is a right to review the truck use on Great Falls Road regardless of any decisions made when the road went from State to City control. She also believes truck restrictions should be placed on West Montgomery and Redland. Truck traffic on Maryland Avenue makes more sense since far fewer houses face the street, although she is not suggesting Maryland Avenue get truck traffic. She wants all the street traffic in the City reviewed.

Surprisingly, on the map used for the meeting, a section of Great Falls Road was shown to restrict trucks already, so this map designation will be investigated.

Mayor Marcuccio expressed concerns about traffic on Park Road.

City Staff Emad Elshafei pointed out that if truck restrictions were placed on Redland, Great Falls, Maryland, and West Montgomery, we would not be allowing trucks in the City. Councilmember Newton said trucks could use Gude Drive or Key West and go around to Rt. 355.

Councilmember Pierzchala pointed out Gude Drive is abutted by three neighborhoods even though you can’t see them from the street. Residents experience the noise. With the Great Seneca development, Gude will be receiving more traffic in the future. Councilmember Newton said homes don’t front Gude as they do on other streets where they need to enter the street. Councilmember Pierzchala reemphasized that even so, Gude has its own considerations.

City Manager Ullery reviewed the four decisions made during the discussion:

(1.) The Traffic and Transportation Commission will take a look at the Guidelines since it has been five years. (2.) Since traffic issues involve enforcement, the Chief of Police will be contacted to determine areas to target for enforcement. (3.) Additional streets will be tested to determine their current thresholds for traffic. (4.) The agreement and requirements on Great Falls Road will be investigated.

The November 29th meeting has been cancelled so the next Mayor and Council Meeting is Monday, December 6, 2010 at 7 PM with a Public Hearing on the FY 12 Budget.

Train Kills Pedestrian, Avoid Randolph Road

This afternoon a CSX frieght train has hit and killed a pedestrian at Randolph Road. The train tracks at this intersection have been involved with several pedestrian deaths over the years.

The Post Now is also reporting that “A CSX employee also was being evaluated for a medical condition.”

MARC has suspended service on the Brunswick Line and service is estimated to resume around 6 PM this evening. In the meantime, the Maryland Transit Administration is arranging for buses to meet passengers at Rockville Station to take them to points west but the buses won’t arrive until around 5 PM depending on traffic.

Commuters should avoid the area if possible because traffic is a mess with Randolph Road closed in both directions between Parklawn Drive and Nebel Street.

Nighttime Construction Work On Hungerford Drive

If you will be driving on or around Hungerford Drive at night next week, be prepared for road closures.

The center and right lanes on southbound Hungerford Drive between Beall Avenue and East Middle Lane will be repaved begining on Monday, October 11, 2010 and continuing Wednesday, October 13th. The repaving project includes the intersection of Hungerford Drive/Rockville Pike (Rt. 355) and East Middle Lane.

The construction work by City contractor, M.T. Laney Company, will occur at night between 9 PM and 5 AM.

Intersection of Hungerford Drive, East Middle Lane, Park Road

The work will begin at Beall Avenue and continue south toward East Middle Lane. Two travel lanes along southbound Hungerford Drive will be closed.

During construction, expect nighttime lane closures on Hungerford Drive, East Middle Lane, Park Road, and North Stonestreet Avenue. Some on-street parking will be restricted. If you are close-by, expect some construction noise too!

School Tour Bus Crash On I-270

TBD has up-to-the-minute updates on the bus crash on the I-270 spur. Here’s what they know so far:

The bus was traveling on the HOV sky ramp from I-495 westbound to I-270 northbound when it drove off the ramp and landed on the I-270 spur.

Fire officials say one person is dead, two patients are critical condition, two patients are in serious condition, and numerous other patients suffered minor injuries.

ABC 7′s Brad Bell is reporting it was a school bus trip from Carlisle, PA. The tour bus appears to belong to Wolf Bus Lines out of York Springs, PA.

At 5:06 PM Northbound and southbound lanes of I-270 are closed.

See the scene through a live traffic camera.

Updates and more information can be found at this post on TBD.com.

Fewer Washington Area Commuters Are Driving Alone

According to the Commuter Connections program sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), a higher percentage of people in the Washington metro area are either taking public transportation to work or teleworking.

In the past ten years, the number of workers in the region driving alone to work has declined from 70% to 64%, while those who use transit one day a week has risen from 17% to 21%, and those who telework at least one day a week went from 3% to 6%.

The economy might have something to do with it since 18% of the people who started using alternative modes of transportation did so to save money.

Over 600,000 people describe themselves as teleworkers, which is more than twice the number from 2001. Another 500,000 “could and would” telework if given the opportunity, so the trend is likely to continue upward during the next decade.

A quarter of those surveyed said their commute was more difficult now than it was a year ago. 59% gave the reason as a more congested route.

Everyone is being asked to give an alternative method of transportation a try. Join Car Free Day on Wednesday, September 22, 2010. Montgomery County Commuter Services wants us all to join this worldwide movement to celebrate sustainable transportation so walk, bike, bus, rail, or telework.

As the City Staff reported in the Strategic Scan 2010, the majority of Rockville residents are close to public transportation so we can do it. Almost all of us are within a half mile of a bus or rail stop. We already do a slightly better job of using alternative means to work with 62% driving alone in a car, so plan to give Car Free Day a try.

Rockville Bus Crash Injures 13, Closes MD-355

A crash between a Ride On bus and a hotel shuttle closed traffic in both directions on MD-355 south of Shady Grove near King Farm this morning and injured at least 13. Traffic is now flowing in both directions.

View Bus Crash in a larger map

The crash, which occurred at 7:20 am, resulted in one critical and one serious (but not life threatening) injury among a total of 13. The injured have been transported to area hospitals.

Here is a chopper photo from WUSA-9:

Judge: Speed Cameras OK

On Tuesday, a judge >dismissed a class-action lawsuit brought by a Bowie lawyer against the speed camera systems of Montgomery County, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Chevy Chase Village.

The lawsuit argued that the jurisdictions were breaking Maryland law by paying the contractors who run the systems on a per-ticket basis. But Judge David Boynton ruled that the jurisdictions, not the contractors, actually operate the systems.

So . . . those cameras by the side of the road aren’t going away anytime soon. In case you are feeling like a leadfoot, our friends at The Rockvillager regularly posts the location of mobile and stationary speed cameras each week.

Bridge Out For Pedestrians Near Lakewood Elementary

>This from the city of Rockville:

Rockville’s Department of Public Works has closed the pedestrian bridge that crosses Wootton Parkway located near Lakewood Elementary School, until further notice.

View Larger Map

The City of Rockville, in coordination with its consultant Greenhorne & O’Mara Inc., conducted an inspection of the bridge that traverses Wootton Parkway. The inspection revealed potential issues with the structural integrity of some portions of the bridge. The consultant recommended the City close the bridge for a more thorough inspection, which is scheduled for next week.

Recommendations for repairs will be made based on inspection findings. The duration of the bridge closure is unknown at this time.

Rockville Department of Public Works has closed off access to the bridge and placed signs to alert pedestrians. Detour signs will be placed along an alternate route to help guide pedestrians to the safest alternate route.

Pedestrians should use the crosswalk located at the intersection of Wootton Parkway and Dundee Road to cross Wootton Parkway. They should continue on Wootton Parkway until reaching Lindley Terrace and stay on the sidewalk on Lindley Terrace to the entrance of Lakewood Elementary School.

A Rockville City Police officer will assist with traffic control both before and after school at the Wootton Parkway and Dundee Road intersection through the end of the week.

Fuel Tanker Fire On Montrose At I-270 Prompts Closure, Traffic Snarls; I-270 Reopened

At 4:45 this morning a fuel fire caused by an overturned tanker prompted authorities to close both Montrose Rd. and I-270 in order to get the fire under control. As of 9:00 am, I-270 is now reopened but Montrose remains closed.Closure of these two major arteries has created traffic snarls throughout Montgomery County, with traffic slowed to a crawl along MD-355 through Rockville.>According to WTOP:

It took almost two hours for the interstate to reopen. It reopened at 6:37 a.m., then authorities periodically shut it down.

Westbound Montrose Road remains closed between Seven Locks Road and Tower Oaks Boulevard.

Eastbound Montrose Road is open at Seven Locks Road, so you commuters can access I-270.

“Most importantly, the driver was not injured,” says Montgomery County Assistant Chief Scott Graham. . . .

The driver was out of the vehicle by the time firefighters arrived.

When To Avoid Montrose Parkway This Weekend

Where I grew up in the New York metro area, everyone always talks about roads constantly. We all know the best way to get everywhere. As traffic increases in our area, I’ve noticed roads becoming an increasingly important topic of conversation.>Dr. Gridlock at The Washington Post, has always been one of my favorite columns. Today in New section of Montrose Parkway set to open, Robert Thomson announces the opening of eastbound Montrose Parkway between East Jefferson Street and Randolph Road for this weekend:

Drivers coming from the west — from I-270, for example — will travel east along the parkway and pass under Rockville Pike to reach Randolph Road. Meanwhile, drivers heading north on Rockville Pike will find a new ramp leading to Randolph Road.

This is part of the Maryland State Highway Administration’s reconstruction of the Rockville Pike/Montrose Road/Randolph Road junction, and it’s also part of Montgomery County’s Montrose Parkway West project. Ultimately, the Montrose Parkway will link I-270, Rockville Pike and Veirs Mill Road.

He warns us to stay away from 8 PM on Friday until noon Saturday.

Read more about the upcoming traffic changes at this intersection from Dr. Gridlock.

Ten Worst Intersections In Montgomery County

It may be no surprise that some Rockville intersections are included in Montgomery Department of Parks and Planning’s annual review of the most congested intersections.>

Top “honors” was claimed for the first time by the intersection at Shady Grove Road at Midcounty Highway. Here’s rundown at the Washington Post.

Other Rockville intersections making the grade include Rockville Pike and Edmonston (#6) and Veirs Mill at Twinbrook (#8).

Here’s a helpful map we made (you can click on it and move it around):

Now, go drive safely and don’t be bitter.