SHA capitulating further on River Road intersection, will allow speed cameras

Election year fever is evident at the Maryland State Highway Administration. Traffic design policies once fiercely-defended by the agency are now being discarded monthly in the politically-charged argument over changes at the River Road intersection where three died in 2016. SHA had already agreed to install concrete curbs at the intersection of River Road and Braeburn Parkway, and a pedestrian-activated red light that would allow safe crossing of River at the existing Pyle Road-aligned crosswalk.

While residents supported these measures, they made clear they wanted more at the most recent community meeting. After weeks of further dialogue, SHA administrator Gregory Slater is now offering two more projects for the intersection. While still maintaining that stretch of River does not qualify as a school zone, Slater is proposing slashing the speed limit on River there from 45 to 35 MPH. He claims that the reduction would qualify that block for speed cameras (but if so, one must ask, why did SHA not suggest that two years ago? Or are they making this up as they go along for political reasons?).

Slater is also suggesting adding a "left turn signal" on River at Braeburn Parkway. What that would involve, or how it will impact the flow of east-west traffic on River, is not made clear at this time.

An online survey was taken by the nearby community in the last week. Both of Slater's proposals received overwhelming support, most likely because speed cameras were one of the most-sought-after additions by residents at the last community meeting. 80.1% supported the 35 MPH speed limit, and 92% supported the "left turn signal" option. 1410 people from the Walt Whitman High School and Bannockburn communities responded to the survey.

A speed limit reduction here will likely invite similar requests from those who live along all of the other blocks of River Road. But while many in the community will likely support a change at the spot where the horrible tragedy occurred, changes to other parts of highly-congested River Road will surely receive more pushback from drivers. While it's difficult to attain 35 MPH - much less 45 - on River Road during rush hour, the trip to the Beltway grows longer by the week, and driver frustrations are boiling over.

The current Montgomery County Council has made clear it intends to do absolutely nothing to ease that congestion on River, and in fact is on the verge of adding 4943 new vehicles to the corridor over the next two years. That can lead to unsafe driving in itself, and voter anger can cut both ways for county and state elected officials.