SHA restripes Bethesda crosswalk where pedestrian was struck this week (Video+photos)

The Maryland State Highway Administration took quick action Friday night to restripe the crosswalk on River Road at Landy Lane, where a woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing Tuesday morning. Police have charged the driver with failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The incident brought attention to the faded crosswalk there, and last night the SHA crew appeared to notice that other crosswalks along River are faded as well.

The crew also added new stop stripes on either side of the crosswalk.

Despite the new crosswalk stripes, I would personally urge anyone reading this to not cross using this crosswalk. It is well worth a few extra minutes to use the bridge above the crosswalk, or to walk up to the light at American Plant and Whole Foods.

Pedestrian struck at Bethesda intersection where some have called for traffic signal (Photo)

A pedestrian was struck in the 5200 block of River Road yesterday at Landy Lane, shortly before 11:30 AM. The location is where civic groups have for several years asked for a traffic signal to be installed. What actually happened - and who was legally at fault - is not yet known. Witnesses who saw the police and fire response to the accident said the victim appeared to be a girl. She was able to walk into the ambulance with assistance, a witness said.

While the Capital Crescent Trail bridge allows pedestrians to cross safely, many continue to try to cross at street level because it is faster. Personally, you would have to pay me significant money to attempt that street-level crossing. Trust me, it's worth the time to either use the bridge, or walk up a short distance to the light at Whole Foods. Being dead is not worth an extra 2 minutes. It's dark under the bridge, and look how worn-off the crosswalk is there. At night? Forget about it! You cannot be seen by drivers.

The Maryland State Highway Administration just announced that the intersection does not currently warrant a traffic signal, after completing a traffic study. There are already 3 traffic signals between Ridgefield Road and Little Falls Parkway. Signal advocates say the construction of a 10-story senior housing development on Landy Lane, and the existing Washington Episcopal School pedestrian and vehicle traffic, warrant a traffic light.

Whatever the outcome, it would seem that SHA could immediately (and fairly cheaply) improve safety there by painting a more visible crosswalk. Perhaps pedestrian-activated warning lights could be added to the bridge to alert drivers that someone is crossing, as well as lighting for that spot at night. The intersection of River and Ridgefield also desperately needs improved street lighting. It's so dark there at night, it's a major safety hazard for pedestrians.

Reader-submitted photo

SHA says no traffic signal warranted for WES senior housing at Landy Lane & River Road in Bethesda

The Maryland State Highway Administration has completed an analysis of the intersection of River Road and Landy Lane in Bethesda, and says a traffic signal is not needed there at this time. That decision comes as a long-delayed senior housing project on Landy arrives at the Montgomery County Planning Board this Thursday.

Yes, senior housing. It appears that Sheridan Development is going forward with its original age-restricted housing plan, likely because River Road was not urbanized in the Westbard sector plan passed earlier this year by the County Council. Therefore, the Washington Episcopal School site did not receive the urban densities that Equity One and Capital Properties enjoy under the plan. 

My analysis: The signal studies were delayed just long enough to find out if the sector plan would allow a higher-profit, denser, non-age-restricted tower on the site. It did not in May, and - boom - here we have the signal study, and the project is speeding forward as senior housing after all.

If successful, the proposal will split the WES site into two lots, one remaining with the school, and the other becoming the Sheridan project site.

The Citizens Coordinating Committee on Friendship Heights, representing communities around the WES site, has pressed for both the traffic signal, and keeping vehicle access open from both River Road and Little Falls Parkway. WES, in contrast, wants to gate its access points to secure the school campus. That scenario would likely lead to cut-through traffic in Kenwood and Somerset, neighbors have warned.

Planning staff is recommending that the Landy Lane access to the campus be open during morning and evening "peak periods" for student drop-off and pick-up. They acknowledge that SHA is the only entity that can greenlight (pun intended) a traffic signal on River Road. But they are suggesting the Board make a Phase 2 traffic study a requirement for WES, and that they force the school to "contribute to its installation."

A forest conservation study shows that 3 specimen trees will be removed for construction of the senior housing building, which will have 121 residential units. Originally 97' despite towering over adjacent Kenwood homes, the cruisin'-for-a-term-limits-bruisin' County Council thumbed their noses at Kenwood, and gave the project yet another tiny bonus boost in height through the sector plan. It will be interesting to see what the results on the term limits ballot question will be in the Kenwood voting precinct in November.

The original building design;
compare to new design at top

Note also that the design of the building has radically changed from the original rendering, losing the nifty Watergate-esque curves on the right side of the facade, and taking on a much boxier form. Boo. But perhaps appropriate, being located near a self storage building that screams "WE SELL BOXES," part of the County Council's sad legacy of neglect in the 20816 zip code.

Planning staff is recommending approval of the project.

Renderings via Montgomery County Planning Department

NEWEST BETHESDA CAPITAL BIKESHARE STATION OPENS; LATEST BETHESDA STATION STATS (PHOTOS)

Bethesda's newest Capital Bikeshare station has opened on River Road at Landy Lane, adjacent to the Capital Crescent Trail. This establishes a bike link between the commercial area of River Road and downtown Bethesda via the trail. As expected, bikes located at stations near the trail are used for recreational and exercise purposes. It would not be surprising if an additional CaBi station were added on Westbard Avenue in the future, as part of the Equity One redevelopment of the Westwood Complex.

Chart: Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row

WHICH BETHESDA CaBi STATION IS MOST-USED?

In other Bethesda Capital Bikeshare news, there are some new numbers on Bethesda station usage. Surprisingly, Friendship Heights beats all of the Bethesda CaBi stations in ridership. Not surprisingly, the Bethesda Metro Center station at Montgomery Lane, and the Bethesda Row station, are the most-used stations within downtown Bethesda. Based on the numbers, it looks like one of the most popular trips is from the Metro Center over to Bethesda Row. And vice-versa.

Lined up and ready to go

One is already in use

If you can't tell, lighting
is pretty abysmal at
 the station

Welcome to the Self Storage
Capital of the World, thanks
to the MoCo
"Planning" Department