SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION AT WISCONSIN AND MONTGOMERY IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Heads up: the MDSHA sidewalk work continues along Wisconsin Avenue, with contractors now starting at the Montgomery Lane intersection.

Watch your step there, as I've seen many a person trip or lose their balance over the many, many months this has dragged along.

SHA SIDEWALK REPAIR CLOSES SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF HYATT BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The Maryland State Highway Administration continues its slow and haphazard renovation of sidewalks along Wisconsin Avenue.

Even as sidewalks further north remain unfinished, crews are now working in front of the Hyatt at Bethesda Metro Center.  Yesterday, the curbside sidewalk was closed to pedestrians. Full access to the hotel remains, however.

As these many projects slouch towards completion, Bethesda will not be spared the embarrassment of being in this condition when tourists arrive for the Inauguration later this month. Is this the impression the state wants visitors from around the nation - and the globe - to have of Maryland and our fair city? It's a disgrace to leave streetscapes in such shambles when the event is known to be approaching.

WISCONSIN AVENUE WATER MAIN BREAK UPDATE - 355, DORSET AVE., BETHESDA, CHEVY CHASE

A major water main break on Wisconsin Avenue between Bethesda and Friendship Heights continues to completely block the southbound lanes of Wisconsin (MD 355) at Bradley Boulevard.

WSSC and MD State Highway Administration officials discussing the situation on site about an hour ago suggested it will be "a long night."  More digging is required, and workers were searching for the precise location of the main break beneath one of Montgomery County's busiest commuter routes.

All this, as rush hour approaches at 5:00 AM.

Dorset Avenue is closed between Wisconsin Avenue and Deal Place in Somerset, as well.

In one frightening moment, a tractor trailer was allowed to drive the wrong way south in the northbound lanes of Wisconsin Avenue - with no apparent stoppage of northbound traffic at the other end.  It was not clear how or why this was permitted.

A heavy digging vehicle raced south from East-West Highway on Wisconsin to join the operation.

Here are some photos:

UPDATE TO WISCONSIN AVENUE SIDEWALK UPDATE (PHOTO)

Since I posted the update on Bethesda sidewalk repairs over the weekend, another section of Wisconsin Avenue sidewalk was closed.

This closure is just north of Pumphrey's Funeral Home, on the northbound side.

BETHESDA SIDEWALK REPAIR UPDATE (PHOTOS)

After belatedly restarting work on downtown Bethesda sidewalks, the MDSHA is finally making some progress.

Unfinished sidewalk construction has bedeviled pedestrians up and down Wisconsin Avenue since the summer.  Trip-and-fall surfaces abounded, and dangerous jaywalking was encouraged in spots.

Now, as these photos demonstrate, bricks have been laid at the corner of Fairmont and Wisconsin.  Other spots remain in shabby condition. Let's hope all of this is finished by the Inauguration, to spare us further embarrassment when tourists pour into our fair city.

AFTER MONTHS OF DELAY, SHA RESUMES WORK ON WISCONSIN AVENUE SIDEWALKS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

One of the biggest complaint-generators in downtown Bethesda this year, has been the Maryland State Highway Administration's bizarre habit of tearing up sidewalks, and then abandoning the mess for months.

It has been a disgrace and embarrassment to leave Bethesda's "main drag," Wisconsin Avenue, in such reprehensible condition. And a tremendous danger to pedestrians.

Finally, SHA contractors are back on site, hopefully to finish the job this time.

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