Sidewalk being built on Norbeck Bridge!!

Sidewalk being added to the north-side of the Norbeck Bridge on 11/12/2011

Good news!

For pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers who use Norbeck Road (MD-28/MD-198), the ICC Project Office has now begun upgrading the bridge with an 8-foot wide sidewalk on the north side.  Also, bicycle lanes/shoulders have been striped on both the north and south side of the bridge.  

Previously, the bridge did not have any sidewalks, bike paths, or even shoulders.  It opened to the public last March 2011 with only four vehicle lanes and nothing else.  Not even shoulders, which was frustrating for anyone who wanted to cross the bridge on foot or bike.  Then in September 2011, a median buffer lane was installed, which necessitated the removal of one vehicle lane fom the northbound direction (heading towards Georgia Avenue).

Then in early November 2011, the ICC Project Team began installing a sidewalk and two shoulders on the bridge.  That necessitated the removal of one vehicle lane from the southbound direction (heading towards Layhill and Norwood). 

As a result of the new construction work on the bridge, occuring mostly on weekends and during non-peak hours, vehicle traffic can only pass through the bridge via one open lane.  That has created considerable delays with southbound and northbound traffic having to take turns to pass through.  Not surprisingly, traffic backed up quickly in both directions - all the way to Georgia Avenue and all the way to Layhill Road.

With all the traffic delays on Norbeck Road, I decided to walk instead of drive over the last two weekends.  So I did!  Walked past most of the idling vehicles and got to my destinations in less time than it would have taken me to drive there. 

My experience exemplifies the fact that we need sidewalks and pedestrian-bike paths for the entire stretch of Norbeck Road so that people can choose any travel mode to safely reach their destinations.  For some people, that could be walking, especially to reach the nearest bus stop.  For others, that could be bicycling or even rollerblading and skateboarding.  And the rest would probably drive, but at least they would have the option of walking and biking if they were so inclined.  And the drivers would not have to worry about swerving around pedestrians and bicyclists in the road. 

The point here is that providing other travel options, especially walking and biking via sidewalks and bike paths would increase the carrying capacity of the road and allow it to move larger volumes of people through the area more efficiently.

If you want a sidewalk and pedestrian-bike path on Norbeck Road, please e-mail or telephone Councilmembers Nancy Navarro and Marc Elrich to demand that they take action to make Norbeck Road more accessbile to pedestrians and bicyclists by placing it on the County's 2012 Transportation Priority Letter. 

Thanks for your support!!!

Nancy Navarro County Councilmember
District 4 – includes Norbeck Road
240-777-7968 (Office)
Councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov

Marc Elrich
County Councilmember-at-large
240-777-7966 (Office)
Councilmember.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov