Northwood News ♦ April 2005

Sidewalks to Be Built on Both Sides of Colesville Road (Route 29)

By Charles Pritchard

The Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation held a public hearing on 17 March 2005 on its plans to construct a permanent sidewalk along Colesville Road from the Northwest Branch bridge to Southwood Avenue.

The meeting was attended sparsely by home­owners and property owners along this intended walkway.  The planned sidewalk — on the east side — will be five feet wide, constructed of concrete, with concrete retaining walls cast to resemble stone.

The Northwood-Four Corners Civic Association voted in 2002 to support the eastside sidewalk, which will provide access to the shopping center being constructed around the Trader Joe’s store at Burnt Mills.  Questions concerned whether or not an additional traffic light would be needed to handle parking at the new center.  [The light will be installed.  — Editor.]

It was also pointed out that the sidewalk would support the Master Plan for Bikeways, which was recently briefed to our civic association by Park and Planning.  The purpose of this plan in our neighborhood is to provide access for a signed bicycle lane along Southwood Avenue to the North Four Corners Park and, ultimately, a crossing of University Boulevard at Lorain Avenue and, from there, down hill to the Sligo Creek Parkway and further access via signed lanes to downtown Silver Spring and beyond for commuter and recreational bicyclists.  If approved and funded by the County Council, the time line for the sidewalk will begin in 2006 and be completed in 2007.

The County planners were also asked if there were plans for a westside Route 29 sidewalk and answered in the affirmative.  The westside sidewalk has been placed in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for 2010, but specific plans have not yet been drafted.  A possible culvert created by installing a large drainage pipe covered with earth and providing the foundation for the sidewalk was indicated; however, environmental factors have not yet been considered.  There would a loss of trees along the slope of the hill below the Kinsman Farm subdivision.  Other options will be considered before opening the plans up for public comment and discussion.

Our civic association is already somewhat embroiled in controversy over the effect of this sidewalk and signed lane on the North Four Corners Park.  We will follow developments carefully.   ■