IT HAS BEGUN:

WOODFIELD ROAD

EXTENDED

CONSTRUCTION &

DESTRUCTION

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

Just since I was over at the new Safeway on Main Street last week, the long-planned extension of Woodfield Road to Ridge Road has begun. I've actually stood on the "cliff" in the parking lot behind the Lutheran Church on Ridge Road, and looked down upon the future road at that end.

A wide swath of forest has been clearcut, and in dirt form, the future state highway is taking shape. All of the talk has been about the disastrous ICC. But here is another significant project that may have more effect on traffic congestion than the Road to Konterra.

Woodfield Road-extended actually has some positive aspects. Residents north of the downtown, and those coming south from Carroll and Howard counties, will be able to bypass the jam at Ridge Road and High Corner St. Likewise, northbound drivers can avoid the same jam by taking Woodfield. It will be faster to get to the Post Office and Safeway, among other businesses in the Damascus Centre. Not to mention the Damascus Library and Senior Center.

The Damascus Centre is also taking shape as a model of shopping center redevelopment. It could be argued that, since downtown Damascus actually is a town center (unlike Westbard), residential development might make sense within the Damascus Centre property. That aside, the temptation to go to mixed-use has been avoided.

What is emerging instead is a two-story commercial development that serves the needs of the community, much like the successful renovation of Little Falls Mall on Sangamore Road. Not a colossal tower of empty condos with failing first floor boutiques (Rockville Town Center, anyone?).

And it is pretty exciting to watch a new road taking shape out of the raw wilderness.

The downside is the loss of trees and green space. Woodfield Road has the potential to become far more dangerous than the relaxed boulevard it is now, north of Main Street. Currently a dead end, it will have fast-moving through traffic in both directions. Not to mention that the new "shortcut" is bound to boost the number of vehicles using Woodfield during both rush hours.

My biggest concern is the effect on the spring that runs parallel to the road across from the Damascus Centre. It is currently unspoiled green space and a waterway that, county officials admit, has already suffered environmental damage as a result of runoff from previous construction at the shopping center.

Obviously, a new paved highway alongside the stream will not increase its health. And it's terrible anytime you lose forest and green space.

So I have reservations about this, but overall, this is preferable to widening Route 27 and ruining its 2-lane, rural character, I guess. In any case, it is going to be fascinating to watch the road take shape in the months ahead.