SHA capitulating further on River Road intersection, will allow speed cameras

Election year fever is evident at the Maryland State Highway Administration. Traffic design policies once fiercely-defended by the agency are now being discarded monthly in the politically-charged argument over changes at the River Road intersection where three died in 2016. SHA had already agreed to install concrete curbs at the intersection of River Road and Braeburn Parkway, and a pedestrian-activated red light that would allow safe crossing of River at the existing Pyle Road-aligned crosswalk.

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.

Bannockburn residents support SHA River Rd. plan, but want speed cameras

It was a case of democracy in action last night at Walt Whitman High School. About 250 residents, almost entirely from the Bannockburn neighborhood, turned out to weigh in on the Maryland State Highway Administration's latest proposed fix for the River Road intersection where 3 people died in a horrific crash just over two years ago. It was the largest turnout yet since community leaders began holding meetings to discuss how to improve safety at both the vehicular intersection with Braeburn Parkway and the crosswalk at Pyle Road along River.

The crowd was not fully satisfied with SHA's two-component plan: make the temporary turn restrictions permanent with concrete curbs at Braeburn, and add a pedestrian-activated traffic signal to the crosswalk at Pyle Road. However, there was a strong sentiment that the pursuit of something better shouldn't prevent obtaining the benefits of the SHA project as soon as possible.

Ultimately, after a series of votes, attendees fully endorsed the SHA plan for the Pyle crosswalk signal. They voted down a straight endorsement of the SHA's Braeburn part of the project. Instead, by near-acclimation, the crowd voted for an "enhanced" version of that, which would still have the proposed concrete curbs, but also the designation of that stretch of River as a "school zone," which would permit the use of speed cameras there.

A full traffic signal at Braeburn has been sought by Bannockburn residents for decades, but that idea has lost favor in recent months, with the realization that such a signal might generate more cut-through traffic in Bannockburn. SHA is expected to begin construction of their project later this year.

SHA unveils River Road/Braeburn Pkwy. project at public meeting

The Maryland State Highway Administration uveiled a project designed to improve safety at a Bethesda intersection where 3 members of a Walt Whitman High School family died in 2016 last night, in a public meeting in the school's cafeteria. It will be constructed along River Road at its intersection with Braeburn Parkway, and at a crosswalk just east of there, which aligns with Pyle Road.

There were no surprises at the meeting; if you read my report yesterday, you had all of the information and diagrams shown last night for permanent concrete curb turning lanes at Braeburn Parkway, and a pedestrian-activated traffic signal at the crosswalk. SHA says that, if they go forward with the proposal, the final design could be completed this summer. Construction would begin this fall, and conclude by next summer.

Sneak peek at SHA plan for River Rd./Braeburn Pkwy./Pyle Rd. intersection in Bethesda

SHA to unveil plan

at meeting tonight,

community to hold

their own meeting

April 23, 2018

The Maryland State Highway Administration will hold a meeting tonight, March 29, 2018 at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria at Walt Whitman High School, to unveil a new project proposal to address safety concerns at the intersection of River Road and Braeburn Parkway/Pyle Road. A fatal accident that killed 3 members of a Whitman family brought extra urgency to longtime concerns from surrounding residents and students about the safety of vehicle turns by Whitman students, and students crossing at a crosswalk just east of the intersection.

These preview images show the project that is expected to be revealed tonight by SHA; the meeting will be in an open house format, with displays around the room, and SHA staff to answer questions.

In the plan, the temporary bollards that control turns at the intersection now will be replaced by permanent concrete curbs. Left turns will remain permitted in both directions from River Road. SHA will also make safety improvements at the crosswalk, including a traffic signal that will be activated by pedestrians when crossing. This signal will stop traffic when activated. A similar signal works quite well at Westbard Avenue and Westbard Circle in Bethesda.

It sounds like a good solution in that congested traffic will not be repeatedly held up by a constant light cycle turning red, and pedestrians will have a safe crossing. Flashing warning signs will alert drivers coming up the hill in both directions to prepare to stop at the crosswalk.

While questions and one-on-one feedback will be allowed tonight, community members who have led the safety efforts after the tragic 2016 crash want to make a more formal and organized response to the SHA proposal. They will also compare SHA's plan to the full Pyle Road intersection "Cadillac option" favored by residents at two previous meetings. A community meeting to discuss, and likely vote on, such a response will be held on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at Whitman.

Traffic signal proponents not giving up 3 months after River Road accident that killed 3 (Photos)

Fifty-four residents met in the auditorium at Walt Whitman High School last night, to discuss options for improving safety at an intersection where three died in a February 26 crash. Many were residents of the Bannockburn community, as well as Whitman students and parents. They were joined by Whitman principal Alan Goodwin, Delegate Marc Korman (D-District 16), and representatives from the offices of Congressman Chris Van Hollen and County Councilmember George Leventhal.

Goodwin began the meeting by reflecting on the fact that one of those killed, Thomas Michael Buarque De Macedo, was a senior who should have been crossing the stage at Whitman's graduation ceremony today. He said that with many tragedies, time passes, and people forget, "and we don't want that to happen." Goodwin asked the audience to participate in a moment of silence to remember Thomas, as well as his parents, Michael Buarque De Macedo and Alessandra M. Buarque De Macedo.

Thomas' sister Helena made a "miraculous" physical recovery, Goodwin said, and returned to school after spring break.

Walt Whitman HS
Principal Alan Goodwin
asks for a moment of
silence for the victims
of February's fatal crash

The intersection where the crash took place, River Road at Braeburn Parkway, has been considered unsafe by residents for decades. Some residents had called for a traffic signal there in the past, but were told by the Maryland State Highway Administration that the intersection did not meet the criteria for one.

What measures the SHA has taken to improve safety there, primarily adding paint, have been "inadequate," Goodwin said.

Redoubling their efforts, Bannockburn recently met with SHA engineer Anyesha Mookherjee on April 11, Bannockburn Civic Association Vice President Richard Boltuck said. Mookherjee's intital review concluded once again that the intersection does not meet the criteria for a traffic signal.

Mookherjee has drawn up some non-signal options, which range from closing the intersection at the median altogether, to various turn restrictions that would be regulated by concrete curb dividers in the middle of the intersection.

Boltuck said many want a traffic signal as a fifth option. There is even what Boltuck describes as the "Cadillac option," which would move the entire intersection east to the location of the crosswalk that connects the two pieces of Pyle Road via River Road. Several residents at the meeting said price should be no object.

Map of the area in
question courtesy
Google Maps

Whatever the solution, it needs to be one with wide community support, Boltuck said, which was his reasoning in calling last night's meeting.

A petition started by Whitman junior Melody Lee asking for a traffic signal now has over 4000 signatures. But Mookherjee told signal supporters that a standard traffic light would not have prevented the February collision, unless it had a limited green arrow to prevent left turns against westbound traffic.

Boltuck and Goodwin said closing the intersection altogether is not an option. Boltuck said the SHA has determined that 1/3 of Whitman-related auto traffic reaches or leaves the campus via the River-Braeburn intersection. Goodwin said Whittier Boulevard is already congested around the times the school starts and lets out, as well as during evening activites. Moving all Whitman traffic to Whittier would be "an impractical way to go," Goodwin argued.

The other option would be to route the Braeburn traffic to Whittier via Wilson Lane, Boltuck said.

Total closure was also opposed by some Bannockburn residents in attendance, who say they make turns there to get in and out of their neighborhood, as well as to reach the Capital Beltway. Beth Rogers, a 25-year Bannockburn resident, said she relies on the intersection for 95% of her trips in and out of the neighborhood. "It's important to be able to get out of my neighborhood," Rogers said. "I think we need a light." She said the estimated $6 million dollar cost shouldn't stop the community from asking for one. "We have the leverage now," she said.

With no success in getting a light strictly based on traffic engineering standards, several in attendance said they were counting on political influence to supercede engineering criteria. One resident said he had become friends with former County Councilman Steve Silverman years ago, and lobbied him for a dedicated turn signal at River and Whittier. At the time, around eight years ago, he too was rebuffed by the SHA. But shortly after that, he said, crews suddenly arrived at the intersection one day and installed the new signal.

"It's not magic," he told attendees. "If the right strings are pulled, it can happen very quickly."

"Nobody has more legitimacy...than the group of people in this room right now," Boltuck said. "We have the advantage of legitimacy. At the same time, we have the disadvantage of a lack of consensus."

One resident suggested putting all of the options online in a survey, allowing the greater community to indicate which one they prefer, and thereby show what option has majority support. Rather than hold a meeting, he said, that would get wider participation "in a very formal way. Then we'll know what the community is behind."

Boltuck ultimately decided to take a vote among attendees. By a vast majority, the audience voted to support a traffic signal as the solution. In a second 50-4 vote, they expressed their preference to relocate the intersection east to Pyle Road, which many said would eliminate a second concern with students crossing River Road at an unsignalized crosswalk.

Boltuck said the next step would be to contact the SHA and Councilmember Roger Berliner, to inform them of the preferences of those who attended this meeting.

What's your opinion on whether a traffic signal is needed at this intersection?

SHA rendering of a
closed median at
River and Braeburn Parkway

MD SHA agrees to study now-deadly River Rd. intersection at Pyle Rd./Braeburn Pkwy. (Photos)

About thirty-six hours after three people died at the intersection of River Road and Pyle Road at Braeburn Parkway, the Maryland State Highway Administration agreed to reconsider making safety changes there. The intersection provides secondary access to Walt Whitman High School via an access road that links to Braeburn Parkway.

The SHA said Monday it would perform a thorough study to see if any changes are warranted to improve safety. Thousands in the Bethesda and Walt Whitman communities have signed a petition calling for a traffic signal. Other potential changes could include flashing signals, new turn restrictions, or sealing off the median to prevent cross-traffic turns altogether.

Existing turn restrictions
during school commuting hours

View from the access road
towards River Road

Petition and thoughts on how to make now-deadly River Road/Pyle Road intersection near Whitman safer

The tragic accident that cost three out of four members of a Bethesda family their lives on Saturday night has renewed calls for updating safety at the intersection where the crash happened. Many nearby residents and members of the Walt Whitman High School community have long complained about the potential dangers of the uncontrolled River Road intersection, where many students and others turn in front of 45 MPH traffic onto Pyle Road (or Braeburn Parkway).

Maryland's State Highway Administration was not commenting to media the day after the crash, but the agency has in the past dismissed calls to signalize the intersection. A Change.org petition has been launched to ask them to reconsider the possibility.

The intersection lies not far from another traffic signal, at River and Wilson Lane. During rush hours, cars headed towards the Beltway often back up to the Pyle Road intersection and further east. That can create additional hazards in itself, as drivers cross lanes where some cars may stop, but others continue to approach at speed if their lane has room ahead.

The SHA historically has been very judicious about adding signals, and they often have sound traffic engineering reasons to back up their decisions. If the new signal was correctly timed with the others along River, it potentially could be added without impacting traffic flow, which is already poor during rush hours (although with Montgomery County's poor record on syncing its traffic lights, maybe I'm being too optimistic).

If the SHA denies the request again, it's not the only solution. A second option would be to simply close off the existing turn option, by sealing off the median altogether. If there are emergency vehicle access requirements for Braeburn Parkway, for example, it may be possible to install a mountable median that can be crossed by emergency vehicles only.

The SHA could then examine adding additional left turn capacity from eastbound River to Whittier Boulevard, if more students would be funneled into that far safer turn to get to school.

Does anyone else have additional ideas on how safety could be improved at this River Road/Pyle Road intersection? Add your thoughts in the comment section below: