Monday, August 28, 2023

Montgomery Lane Bethesda Bikeway construction update (Photos)


Here's a look at the status of the new protected bike lanes on Montgomery Lane between Woodmont and Wisconsin Avenues in Bethesda. Some new pedestrian/bike signals have been installed, but are still bagged over at the moment. The bike lane surface itself still hasn't been paved, however. I was able to find a more-recent estimate for the completion date, which was to have been April 2023, so the project is currently about 4 months behind schedule. 









18 comments:

Anonymous said...

What's going on at the intersection of Hampden and Arlington on the west side of Arlington?

JAC said...

Millions of dollars spent for a few bikes per week. The other side of Montgomery bike lane is one block only. What's really bad is that they've taken the turn lane away completely to merge onto Wisc Ave heading south. Lastly, due to this unnecessary change, confused drivers turn left onto Wisc from the middle lane when turning is only in the far left lane. The left lane is turn or straight so if middle lane drivers try and turn left, t-bone crashes are a real possibility. I have seen maybe a half dozen very close calls.

Anonymous said...

You simultaneously complain that an existing bike lane is "one block only" while also complaining that said bike lane is being extended. You just whine no matter what happens.

Anonymous said...

@6:56 - I bet you never voice (whine) any of your minuet concerns to the MoCoDot or planning agency. Probably because they would shot you down in a NY minute.

Anonymous said...

I turn on Wisconsin from Montgomery all the time. It’s pretty straightforward if you follow the signs. If people can’t read the obvious traffic signs then they really have no business driving at all. Even more of a reason to get those people out of cars and onto bikes instead.

Bert868 said...

I drive this every afternoon. It is a real mess. They still haven't paved the street itself.
I always have to make the left turn and you should see some of the stuff that happens. I am surprised that someone hasn't hit me.

Anonymous said...

For reference: Construction on The Empire State Building started on March 17, 1930, and the building opened thirteen and a half months afterward on May 1, 1931.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building

This is pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Was on it early this morning, saw quite a few bikers bothways! Good to see! I think it will catch on. Sure a lot safer and not a harrowing experience anymore.

JAC said...

11:00 - wrong on voicing, right on them not doing a damn thing anyway

JAC said...

9:42 - welcome to the discussion. No, I simply opine at the government run amok installation of bike lanes everywhere for very few bikes while inconveniencing thousands of motorists. Oh yes, those awful SUV drivers. How dare they exist.

Anonymous said...

I walk across this every day. It’s only FOUR months late?

Anonymous said...

Most of the traffic turning left from eastbound Montgomery Lane to northbound Wisconsin Avenue comes from Hampden Lane, which has no left turns permitted to northbound Wisconsin Avenue, so drivers take East Lane to Montgomery Lane, then turn from there.

When construction is complete at Hampden Lane hopefully the County can put a traffic light on Wisconsin Avenue, and allow left turns there - that will greatly simplify these movements.

Anyway, most of this traffic is alkies coming from the Dispensary, so that is probably why so many of them are confused.

Anonymous said...

Montgomery Lane is a side street that's 4 lanes wide. It being reduced to three does not inconvenience any motorists, much less "thousands."

METaphor said...

I don't have a problem with this bike lane as there is plenty of lanes on this street. Not so happy about others (Little Falls).

JAC said...

10:34 - That's a fair take but they did reduce it from 3 lanes to 2 and removed the turn lane and soft merge to easily travel south on Wisconsin Ave. Better question was, was all that expense worth it? Was this really needed? Think about it. Are we a taxpayers going to be ok with county and or state redesigning every travel corridor around here? I understand it's part of a Utopian master bike plan to connect to the trail network, etc but you get my point. What's stopping any of these folks from destroying LFP as you mentioned? Well, certainly not hundreds of signed petitions and strong opposition from a local town mayor. What's really the end game here? Remove cars from the road period. Don't be fooled.

Anonymous said...

@ 6:36 AM - Improvements to Caroline Freeland Park. Not transportation related.

Anonymous said...

Pearl clutchers unite.

shanel said...

Progress. All those carbon producing things that we've grown to love in our life, won't be here for our heirs. Bike lanes will be. Suck it up for our kids. At least, we'll all be sucking together. `