An unprecedented 17-month closure of a Bethesda neighborhood's arterial road network has come to an end. The intersection of Ridgefield Road and Westbard Avenue reopened to vehicular traffic yesterday, after the completion of a road realignment project. While the original concept was to extend Westbard down to the River Road-Brookside Drive intersection, at some point a decision was made to call that new block of Westbard "Brookside Drive." It is now labeled as the 5600 block of Brookside, a street name that has up until now been an elite address through the Kenwood neighborhood across River Road.
While neither Montgomery County nor Westbard developer Regency Centers has publicly spoken about the naming decision, the late change represents a sacrifice on the part of Regency, as it loses the branding opportunity of having the "Westbard" street sign over the voluminous commuter traffic that passes through the River-Brookside intersection only a block from the company's new Westbard Square development. On the positive side for Regency, the realigned road creates a direct field of view of Westbard Square from the River-Brookside intersection.
New traffic signals at the new Westbard-Brookside "T" intersection midway between River and Westbard Square were also activated on Friday. The signals will make what was originally going to be a very dangerous, ungoverned intersection for pedestrians and drivers much safer. Fully-separated bike lanes also provide a very safe route for cyclists along the Brookside and Westbard portions between River and Westbard Square. With the Westbard road grid reopened again, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation is now expected to study the traffic patterns that develop, to determine whether or not to implement a closure of Westbard Avenue at River Road that was recommended in the 2016 Westbard sector plan.
Very confusing arrangement. Too many signals in a short distance. Must change lanes abruptly.
ReplyDeleteTypical foresight similar to placing a stop sign at Willet Bridge Road and Little Falls Parkway, where there is minimum visibility of oncoming bidirectional traffic.
18 months is ridiculous. There was always supposed to be one access road from River Rd during construction, needed by workers trying to get to work early and late hours, shoppers, small businesses trying to stay afloat, etc. But then it dissolved into a Hatfield and McCoy‘s battle over whether Ridgefield would get a cul-de-sac or Westbard would get a cul-de-sac. Even now open, both sides battle on. At what cost? Let’s close this sorry chapter and move on.
ReplyDeleteThe arrangement and light at Ridgefield and Westbard is what those homeowners fought for.
ReplyDeleteThe name makes sense if you’re MD DOT - clean intersection of River Rd. and Brookside. Don’t worry, Westbard & Ridgefield are each already lobbying to change all the names.
Let's all agree to never close these roads again. What a nightmare just to go to the Giant.
ReplyDeleteWhen I drive from Mass Ave to this new intersection I have to be really careful when passing the exit from the (old) Giant/Westwood parking lot. People assume I am turning left into the lot and I have had some close calls when they pull out in front of me. A left turning lane into the lot would help.
ReplyDeleteWith the opening of the new intersection at River/Brookside there is no reason for anyone to turn right onto Westbard from River and go through two stoplight controlled intersections to get to the Giant. Ergo, closing Westbard at River would be no inconvenience for anyone. Many of the residents of the 5500 block of Westbard have relied on the county's sector plan that calls for the closure of Westbard/River and that is what should happen.
ReplyDeleteOOPS! They completely forgot to install speed humps on that stretch of the road!
ReplyDeleteI misspoke, Westbard/Ridgefield intersection does not have a stoplight control.
ReplyDeleteElite address? There are 24 residences on the 5500 Block or Westbard Avenue who apparently cannot be forced to give up their address. This new road is shorter than a football field and has no new addresses since the EYA townhomes aren’t accessed from it. Brookside just made logical sense. For once, the County got something right, and now we want to shame them for it?
ReplyDeleteReally? "Unprecedented" -- a little dramatic
ReplyDelete11:38: It was unprecedented, as in, it's never been done before. Countless gallons of gas wasted by residents and shoppers alike.
ReplyDelete