While residents supported these measures, they made clear they wanted more at the most recent community meeting. After weeks of further dialogue, SHA administrator Gregory Slater is now offering two more projects for the intersection. While still maintaining that stretch of River does not qualify as a school zone, Slater is proposing slashing the speed limit on River there from 45 to 35 MPH. He claims that the reduction would qualify that block for speed cameras (but if so, one must ask, why did SHA not suggest that two years ago? Or are they making this up as they go along for political reasons?).
Slater is also suggesting adding a "left turn signal" on River at Braeburn Parkway. What that would involve, or how it will impact the flow of east-west traffic on River, is not made clear at this time.
An online survey was taken by the nearby community in the last week. Both of Slater's proposals received overwhelming support, most likely because speed cameras were one of the most-sought-after additions by residents at the last community meeting. 80.1% supported the 35 MPH speed limit, and 92% supported the "left turn signal" option. 1410 people from the Walt Whitman High School and Bannockburn communities responded to the survey.
A speed limit reduction here will likely invite similar requests from those who live along all of the other blocks of River Road. But while many in the community will likely support a change at the spot where the horrible tragedy occurred, changes to other parts of highly-congested River Road will surely receive more pushback from drivers. While it's difficult to attain 35 MPH - much less 45 - on River Road during rush hour, the trip to the Beltway grows longer by the week, and driver frustrations are boiling over.
The current Montgomery County Council has made clear it intends to do absolutely nothing to ease that congestion on River, and in fact is on the verge of adding 4943 new vehicles to the corridor over the next two years. That can lead to unsafe driving in itself, and voter anger can cut both ways for county and state elected officials.
26 comments:
Leave it to Robert Dyer to whine about safer roads.
Since this is about the SHA, where is your usual triple-photo of Larry Hogan? You put one on your Rockville blog yesterday.
"The actual number of new vehicles belonging to residents in the 516 total units at the Regency development at full build-out will be 980, using the conservative Great Recession-era U.S. Census number of 1.9 cars per household. As the survey of Westbard area residents conducted a decade ago revealed, 93% of residents travel by automobile. So the total number of trips generated will actually be 911 in both the morning and evening."
Why do you assume that the new residents of the New Westbard will have the same driving habits as the current, much less enlightened residents?
You claim to be all about Bethesda, yet you delete a mention of a Bethesda Facebook page (Bethesda Chevy Chase Back in the Day), that many in Bethesda would love to look at, so they could either remember or learn about this wonderful place called Bethesda.
Why would you do this?.
6:00am the new EYA townhomes will have 2 car garages, so the developer certainly expects the new residents to drive.
Not knowing anything about the politics, can I ask what the political reasons are that Robert is suggesting? Thanks.
This is overkill. Yes, there was a tragic fatal accident there, but the driver was going 110mph. Other than that, the interesection has not been problematic. Why add to the gridlock with a traffic light and slower speeds for no reason?
@6:35AM: Why don't you start a blog dedicated to that Facebook page instead of posting about it here and waiting for Dyer to delete your comments? Your posts are getting tiresome.
@6:00AM: Unless the new residents telecommute or get jobs at the bowling alley, they're going to need to drive. Westbard is not transit accessible, and the planning commission allowed the developer to eliminate the shuttle bus that was in the original proposal. I did this commute many years ago. It's too far to walk, especially in business attire, and the buses are infrequent, especially if you commute slightly outside of rush hour.
@7:08AM: You are exactly right. But more people might walk to Whitman if they had a safer crossing, so the pedestrian signal could cut down on car trips. I'd also like to see SHA close the left turn there permanently.
River is much more congested than it used to be, so 35MPH is probably appropriate now (though 5MPH is more common at rush hour). I'm still not sure how it would qualify for speed cameras, though, because it's not a school zone and because there are no houses that sit directly on it.
7:556AM - I don't care about the FB page. I simply thanked someone for mentioning it and talked of how much I enjoyed seeing the pictures of times past. But, my innocuous comment was deleted.
What I DO care about is why it can't be mentioned in the comments section of this blog that belongs to someone running for office in this county.
Even my asking why is deleted.
If you find my asking so tiresome, why don't you harp on Mr Dyer about answering why.
@8:14AM: Have you tried mentioning it on the other political candidates' blogs?
8:14am I agree with the other comment- start your own blog. Many others have, no one is stopping you.
You're just hating, seeking Robert's attention are not adding to the thoughtful convo here.
Have good say Sir.
Nanny state wa wa wa change our diapers. The funniest part is that the family of the folks who died agree that it was a combination of the psycho kid's speed AND the crappy nature of the Chevrolet Volt that caused the family members to die. They aren't out petitioning for speed cameras. Context matters! Also, cameras won't prevent psychos from driving like psychos. What a joke!
"the thoughtful convo here."
LOL
6:35am Are you active in Back in the Day? I don't recall you ever commenting there?
Interesting to see Dyer attacking Governor Hogan and the community for supporting speed cameras.
Boy, do you sheep ever listen to understand? or just to reply?
Memorial Day 2018 is the FIRST time I ever heard of or saw that FB group.
It was mentioned HERE, by a commenter on this blog in response to Clair Dratch closing.
I typed a thank you to the OP. It was deleted.
I asked why my thanks were deleted. That was deleted. Rinse and repeat.
Now we are here.
10:40am My God, Dyer is covering major transportation, economic and crime issues.
And you're whining that he won't let you post about a Facebook group.
Get a grip.
1:05pm can you pester other sites that straight out plagiarize Dyer on a regular basis?
Rando McTuffguys are funny
"Or are they making this up as they go along for political reasons?"
Thank God Robert Dyer never, ever does this.
Speed camera are 100% needed on River Road between Little Falls Pkwy and Western Avenue. Some folks see this as a dragstrip since police rarely, if ever ticket here.
With an ever increasing number of bicyclists,no bike lane and some very inexperienced cyclists on red rental bikes,this area is downright dangerous.
How about those Caps? Ovechkin... proud Quince Orchard grad. Worked at the Dippin Dots kiosk at Lakeforest.
@7:08PM: The police do run laser on this road from time to time. The first question is not whether River Road needs speed cameras but whether they can be legally deployed there. Speed cameras may be deployed only in school zones, work zones, or within 300 feet of a residence on a road with a maximum speed limit of 35MPH.
So, if this is all about election year fever and the SHA is dragging its heels, why is Dyer calling out the Council, his favorite whipping boy, and not the Republican Governor for SHA's slow response?
9:00: Are you looking at the right article? The SHA is throwing out their engineering handbook to deliver a political solution here. If anything, they are moving too quickly to satisfy potential voters in Hogan's reelection.
By the way, SHA's rep was the ONLY official to question the Council and Planning Board's approval of the Westbard sector plan without including any capacity increase for River Road. He was completely flabbergasted by this.
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