Sidewalk work on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda (Photos)

The sidewalk is blocked in front of 8011 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. It appears several sections of the sidewalk are being replaced. 8011 Woodmont is expected to be demolished for the Artena Bethesda development. It is one of the few remaining examples of a Sir Walter Raleigh steakhouse building in the area.

Bethesda Row sidewalk construction update (Photos)

The reconfigured and upgraded sidewalk along Woodmont Avenue near Bethesda Avenue has been unveiled. Unfortunately, it still doesn't line up properly with the streets it intersects with. While the reconfigured and rerouted Woodmont Avenue is designed to be safer and slow people down, it's no more an aesthetic improvement than the horrid new Woodmont-Leland barricade intersection a block south. However, it does have the Bethesda streetscape standard for its design.

SIDEWALK CLOSURE ON NORFOLK AVENUE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The effort to upgrade sidewalks in the Woodmont Triangle got slightly easier this week, as the sudden closure of BlackFinn (at 4901-A Fairmont Avenue) means workers can start on the Norfolk Avenue sidewalk along the nightclub without disrupting business. There's no business to disrupt.

Expect this sidewalk to be replaced with brick pavers (a supply of which is standing by across the street), as part of the Bethesda Streetscape plan. A previous sidewalk upgrade across Norfolk was assisted by developer Bainbridge, as part of its Bainbridge Bethesda project approval from the county.

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.

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.

WARNING: SIDEWALK CLOSURES BY CVS ON WISCONSIN AVENUE - BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Sidewalks around the Bethesda CVS are closed, as they are being upgraded to ADA standards.  This is the CVS at Wisconsin Avenue and Cheltenham Drive, across from 7-Eleven and Fairmont Plaza.

View from Cheltenham Dr. alongside CVS property; that's
Starbucks on Norfolk and Woodmont Aves. in the distance

In front of CVS facing north on Wisconsin Ave.; there is
no easy pedestrian approach to CVS at this time

Please be advised, the area is tricky to navigate for senior citizens and the physically-challenged.  Approach by car into the lot, or consider using one of the many other CVS locations downtown.  The most convenient for those with mobility issues would be at Arlington Road and Bradley Boulevard.

Can't get there from here:
Cheltenham, facing Wisconsin Ave., and the
Landow and Fairmont Plaza buildings

Facing south on Wisconsin

Of course, if you just need prescriptions, the CVS does have a drive-thru at the affected location.

This open section could encourage jaywalking
across Wisconsin

This situation is something drivers should be aware of as well, as more pedestrians may jaywalk across Wisconsin to reach the CVS.

MYSTERY BETHESDA SIDEWALK REPAIRS REVEALED!

It turns out that all of the destruction and repairs to the sidewalks at Fairmont and Wisconsin Avenues is just to install one of those ADA squares with the little bumps, as has been done elsewhere in downtown Bethesda.

As you can see, much progress had been made by the time this photo was taken, but it's still a mess.  I never realized so much of the sidewalk had to be torn up to install those.  It's like taking an axe to your front door when you want to install a new doorknocker.

By the way, that's the Minute Clinic at CVS across Wisconsin Avenue.  If you are new in downtown Bethesda, and are uninsured or underinsured, note the location.  It will be your new best friend the next time you are sick.