MYSTERY TRENCH DUG ON ELM STREET AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

A surprisingly deep trench appeared on Elm Street, in front of Mamma Lucia at Bethesda Row yesterday.

It has the appearance of a utility pipe dig of some sort, but nothing is posted to inform people about what's going on there.

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.