Old Georgetown Road crosswalk signal failing less than a year after activation (Photos)

One of the two pedestrian crosswalk signals at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Cordell Avenue in Bethesda is out-of-service less than a year after it was activated by the Maryland State Highway Administration. The signal control box at the northeast corner of the intersection has been crudely covered over with a flattened shipping box and yellow tape. In terms of pedestrian safety, results of the signals have been mixed, as many drivers simply ignore the yellow flashing lights. It's also worth noting that the SHA has yet to repaint the faded crosswalk, which is almost entirely worn off on the northbound lanes, a failure that isn't helping matters.

Destroyed pedestrian island signs replaced on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda (Photos)

Signs on the pedestrian island at the crosswalk on Woodmont Avenue at Fairmont Avenue in Bethesda were wiped out by a reckless driver this past spring. As of yesterday, the signs have been replaced. They alert drivers to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. It is a busy but unsignalized intersection, where pedestrians are heading to and from Veterans Park, the 7-Eleven, the CVS Pharmacy, and the residential neigbhorhood of East Bethesda.

Do drivers obey the pedestrian crosswalk lights on Old Georgetown Road? (Video)

The pedestrian-activated flashing lights at the Old Georgetown Road crosswalk by Cordell Avenue in Bethesda have been operational for several months. Everyone has had a chance to get used to them by now. So, are they working? Is it safer now to cross than before, and do drivers respect the lights? Let's find out:

Some do, but many don't. So you'll want to be paying full attention, as if the lights were not there to help, when you cross. Many drivers either don't respect, or don't understand the meaning of, the signals. Observing others attempting to cross after activating the flashing lights, in some cases the pedestrian had to simply freeze as cars continued to tear through the intersection and the crosswalk as if there was no signal at all. Enforcement is clearly needed, but whether the police currently have enough units to spare one here from time to time is unclear.

Marriott signaled crosswalk on Woodmont Avenue update (Photos)

The new midblock crosswalk with traffic signal on Woodmont Avenue, between Norfolk Avenue and Old Georgetown Road, was hooked up to electricity yesterday. Now the center yellow lights are flashing, but the control boxes are not yet activated for pedestrian use. 

The crosswalk has been installed to assist with an increase in pedestrian traffic related to the new Marriott International headquarters and hotel, and with vehicular movement in and out of the Woodmont Corner public parking garage directly across the street.

Woodmont Avenue pedestrian refuge hit by vehicle again (Photos)

Once again a driver has had a close encounter with the pedestrian island on Woodmont Avenue by Veterans Park near Fairmont Avenue. This time, the perpetrator left behind a couple of souveniers: A sizable piece of their vehicle, and a dark skid mark, on the island itself. Another wild night in the Woodmont Triangle!

Old Georgetown Road crosswalk to get flashing lights

Another downtown Bethesda crosswalk will be getting flashing lights to draw attention to pedestrians crossing. The crosswalk is located on Old Georgetown Road, at its intersection with Cordell Avenue. Equipment has been installed on the sidewalk, but is not yet activated.

Pedestrian island ravaged on Woodmont Avenue (Photos)

A crosswalk pedestrian refuge island on Woodmont Avenue near Fairmont Avenue has been heavily damaged. The pedestrian island is located by Veterans Park, which the crosswalk connects to the eastern sidewalk of Woodmont, near its intersection with Fairmont. It has taken similar damage since it was constructed in 2013, the first time only 48 hours after it was opened to the public. 

A sign on the island directing drivers to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk is damaged and bent to the ground. There used to be two, but one destroyed previously was never replaced. Two bollards are also gone. It is currently unclear how the island was damaged, but it appears to have occurred since the snowstorm began Friday.

Marriott crosswalk on Woodmont Avenue to have traffic signal (Photos)

A potential pedestrian safety nightmare has been sidestepped in front of the future Marriott Bethesda Downtown hotel at 7707 Woodmont Avenue. Marriott International employees were expected to park in the Woodmont Corner public parking garage directly across the street from the hotel and new corporate office tower when they open in 2022. A planned crosswalk between the hotel and the garage is meant for those employees and other pedestrians to utilize. But concerns over the safety of a high-traffic unsignalized crosswalk can be put aside, as a new traffic signal is now being installed at that spot.

This will regulate traffic on Woodmont, as well as some of the garage vehicular traffic. Just how many Marriott employees will be using this is not yet known. Prior to pandemic-related layoffs and work-from-home options, Marriott's HQ had 3300 employees on-site, 2500 of whom drove to work. Also notable, as seen in the photo above, is the opening and first use of the hotel's porte cochere off-street driveway - an increasing rarity in new developments in Montgomery County.

New crossing signal activated on Wisconsin Avenue (Photos)

A new crosswalk with pedestrian-activated crossing signals has been activated at Wisconsin Avenue at Chase Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Pressing the button on the control box activates flashing lights installed on signs at the intersection.

New Woodmont Avenue crosswalk signals activated

The new crosswalk on Woodmont Avenue by St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda is now active, including the pedestrian signals. Take note of it, as this will be a handy route for pedestrians to more quickly reach Wisconsin Avenue and points east of Wisconsin from St. Elmo. It will also be your short cut to the future Trader Joe's and Orangetheory Fitness gym in the ground floor of 8001 Woodmont when they open.

Lights, pedestrian controls installed at new downtown Bethesda crosswalk (Photos)

 

Pedestrian-activated lights and control boxes were installed at the new crosswalk at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Chase Avenue in downtown Bethesda yesterday. What's in place so far are dash-shaped yellow flashing lights below the yellow crossing signs. So far, there are no overhead traffic signals to turn red. The new lights and controls have not yet been activated for use.

New crosswalk at Wisconsin and Avondale in downtown Bethesda

A new crosswalk is being added at the north side of the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Avondale Street in downtown Bethesda. The new crosswalk also has ADA-compliant ramps and a pedestrian-activated horizontal flashing signal to alert oncoming drivers. You're still taking a greater risk using this than crossing at a signaled intersection, so remain alert and don't presume traffic will stop.

The incredible, disappearing Bethesda Avenue crosswalk

Dangerous current condition of
the crosswalk in front of
The Seasons

The Invisible Man hasn't even hit theaters yet, and he already has competition from this crosswalk in front of The Seasons apartment tower on Bethesda Avenue. It's not the first time the crosswalk has faded without maintenance.

Montgomery County Council's
2020 walk of shame

The Council can't maintain crosswalks,
but they did have time this week to weigh
in on DC statehood

In 2015, the crosswalk virtually vanished, and was finally repainted and restored in 2017. Perhaps if the Montgomery County Council could set aside their War on Cars campaign for their developer sugar daddies, they could actually improve pedestrian safety through novel ideas like...actual crosswalks. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Crosswalk in 2014

Entirely faded in 2016

Restored in 2017

Watch your step at this dangerous downtown Bethesda crosswalk (Photos)

The crosswalk that traverses Fairmont Avenue at Old Georgetown Road has become a danger zone for pedestrians, especially those who are unsteady or texting while walking. A reader reports that an elderly woman fell while crossing here recently, and had to be helped up. Upon inspection, I found that uneven asphalt had been poured over the crosswalk's paint, apparently after underground utility work, and has left a surface ripe for stumbling. Whichever agency is responsible could find itself responsible for personal injuries caused by this careless job.

Demolition update: 4733 Bethesda Avenue (Photos)

It appears the glass has been removed from a number of windows on one side of the office building at 4733 Bethesda Avenue. The black shroud of death - last seen draped over White Flint Mall - has descended over part of the building. Also, the vanished crosswalk across from the Seasons has reappeared. This building is coming down to make way for The JBG Companies' 4747 Bethesda Avenue office/retail project.