LANE CLOSURES AGAIN FOR UTILITY WORK IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Tonight, the right lane of northbound Wisconsin Avenue (Rt. 355) is closed at Montgomery Avenue by the police station.

Two lanes of Montgomery Lane are closed by Tommy Joe's.

NIGHTTIME UTILITY WORK IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Last night, Verizon appeared to be doing some major work in downtown Bethesda, requiring digging and lane closures.

The right lane of northbound Wisconsin Avenue was closed between Montgomery Avenue and East-West Highway. And one lane of Montgomery Lane was closed between Tommy Joe's and the 2nd District police station.

Just something to be aware of when driving in that area, in case they haven't finished the work yet.

NEW SPEED CAMERAS COMING TO DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Workers in unmarked white vans appeared to be putting the finishing touches on several pole-mounted cameras in the median of Wisconsin Avenue near Montgomery Avenue.

A Bethesda real estate agent tells me that intersection, among many others along state highways in Bethesda, is scheduled to have new speed cameras installed now or in the future.

Other routes targeted include River Road.

Google Street View records show a different type of camera at the 355-Montgomery intersection than those now being installed.

My photos show the new cameras and one of the mystery vans working Sunday evening at the intersection.

We have to assume their camera-revenue department works faster than their sidewalk repair department.

UNFINISHED WISCONSIN AVENUE SIDEWALK PROJECTS CONTINUE TO DRIVE DOWNTOWN BETHESDA RESIDENTS CRAZY (PHOTOS)

I continue to hear many complaints from downtown Bethesda residents regarding the Maryland State Highway Administration's unfinished sidewalk projects on Wisconsin Avenue.

Stay classy, Bethesda

The jagged edge - watch your step!

The work has been going on for months now.  I've seen county contractors do one of these ADA retrofits in 2 days, in contrast.

Don't trip on that currrrrrb!!!

These photos were taken last week.  I can't recall a sidewalk project that was partially finished, and then just abandoned like this.

ARBOR HORROR!! SHA TO CLEARCUT "GREEN MILE" BETWEEN BETHESDA AND FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS

"EVERYTHING MUST GO!"

ALL 53 TREES TO BE REMOVED

FOR SIDEWALK

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS!

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Tree huggers:  You'd better get a good rest and fortify yourself with a hearty breakfast.  53 trees are going to be destroyed along Wisconsin Avenue between Bradley Lane and Friendship Heights, if the state has its way.

According to an attendee of last night's meeting between the Maryland State Highway Administration and nearby residents, SHA is determined to cut down every tree along the east side of 355 in order to build a sidewalk.   A sidewalk!

There just happens to be one on the west side of the road, guys.

What's happening here, of course, is that sidewalks and multi-use paths now must conform to strict environmental and disability access standards that didn't exist before.  In almost every case, that makes sense.  But you would think that, with this being the only stretch of green for miles, no one would propose building a sidewalk that is not strictly necessary.

I'm always an advocate for mandating sidewalks, paths and/or bike lanes wherever feasable on new roads.  Separate bike, auto and pedestrian facilities improve safety, and get everyone to their destination faster.

But should such an ideal scenario come at the expense of precious and rare environmental resources?

I have no problem with trees being cut down for the public good, such as to build a highway, railroad or fire station.  In this case, however, this sidewalk is a luxury item, and a solution in search of a problem.

Very few people walk this stretch.  Those who wish to do so can now on the west sidewalk.  Joggers can run, cyclists can cycle and wheelchairs can utilize it as well.  Most people are taking a car, bus or Metro ride down there.

Would I like to have an 8' multi-use path there?  Absolutely.  But not at the cost of the Green Mile.

To a small extent, this is reminiscent of Montgomery County's sidewalk shenanigans in recent years.  The county, supposedly so broke it needs to hit up senior citizens for ambulance fees, has what seems to be a bottomless budget to retrofit old neighborhoods with sidewalks.  They're used as political payoffs, as well-connected supporters simply ask and receive sidewalks.  No rigorous engineering standards must be met.  And the destruction of our already-evaporating tree canopy is not an issue for them.  At all.  In some Bethesda neighborhoods, trees older than the neighborhoods themselves are being felled for sidewalks.  My answer is, if you wanted a street with sidewalks, why did you buy a house where there weren't any?  Our elected officials are out to literally pave over the entire county.

And that leads me to my theory about what's really behind this clearcutting of the Green Mile.  Right now, that tree-lined stretch is off limits to development.  There's a mishmash of government and Chevy Chase Club land that I'll let a surveyor try to explain to you.  (Someone even brought this up as a place to build the new BCC cluster middle school, so you're talking about more government land then you'd think).

Here's my theory:  It's practically sacred now.  No one would dare try to build anything there.

But what if government found a "noble excuse" to clearcut the trees? Now it becomes just another barren space.

Here comes Danny Developer down the road.  He's rubbing his hands together, thinking of all the possibilities.  "Green.  Sustainable.  Smart growth," Danny says, smiling at the Planning Board.  "A vibrant space to live, work and play."  (By the way, what do the planners and developers mean when they refer to "play" for people over the age of, say 10?  Do adults "play?" So annoying).  "Staff recommends approval!"  "All those in favor... By acclimation!"

By eliminating the Green Mile, the taboo of developing it is gone.  Pretty clever, right?  Too clever by half.

Angry about losing 53 trees?

Comments about the project are still being taken at:

kmazzara@sha.state.md.us 

ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov