From the EVP's desk: MCDOT to upgrade intersections on Montgomery Village Avenue

by Mike Conroy, MVF Executive Vice President

Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has laid out a plan to upgrade the intersections on Montgomery Village Avenue from Midcounty Highway to Wightman Road. The upgrades are aimed at improving pedestrian safety and fall in line with the county’s Complete Streets Design Guidelines.

Representatives from MCDOT held a community meeting on March 27, and reviewed the plan again before the April 24 Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Board of Directors meeting, noting the improvements would include continental crossings/crosswalk markings; upgrading ADA access; median extensions to allow for safer crossing; addition of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons at key intersections; and lane restriping to conform to the Complete Streets Design Guide, adding additional shoulder buffer near the existing sidewalks.

All intersections will receive new crosswalk markings, and in many cases, sidewalk improvements to increase turn radius and upgrade ADA markings. Where applicable, medians will be extended to allow for appropriate crosswalk widths and provide additional pedestrian refuge for crossing.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) are proposed to be installed at Walkers Choice Road, the entrance to Center Stage and at Duffer Way. PHBs are a type of signalized crossing that allows for regular traffic flow until a pedestrian activates the signal, using flashing lights to stop traffic and provide pedestrians safe crossing. Each of these locations was identified as highly used pedestrian crossings, generally to access public transportation. MCDOT’s plan does not include any additional traffic signals; however, a full signal will be added to the Stewartown Road intersection as part of the Bloom Village development.

Median extension, ADA access and crosswalk upgrades are also proposed at Wightman Road. Additionally, the queuing lane for the right-hand turn from Montgomery Village Avenue onto Wightman Road will be extended. It was noted that in the future, the free right turn lanes on all sides of this intersection would be evaluated for potential change or removal, however, that was not in the scope of the current project.

MCDOT is currently performing concrete work on Montgomery Village Avenue, which includes bus stop pads, curb work, and storm drain repair. Once this work is completed, additional concrete work on sidewalks and medians will be performed, as outlined in the plan. This includes any utility and infrastructure necessary for the PHB locations. After all concrete work is completed, Montgomery Village Avenue will be resurfaced, and new lane markings and crosswalk markings will be added to complete the project. MCDOT has an aggressive timeline for the project, with expected completion in mid-fall.