Skip to content

Mayor and Council Recommend Options for Improving Two Town Center Thoroughfares

The Mayor and Council in October moved forward with plans to make two Rockville Town Center thoroughfares friendlier to businesses, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The changes to East Middle Lane and North Washington Street, developed through a consultant’s study, follow recommendations for improving the vitality of Rockville Town Center made by a panel of Urban Land Institute experts who visited the city in July 2019.

The Mayor and Council directed staff to proceed with an option for East Middle Lane between MD 355 and North Washington Street (Option A in the staff report) that has one travel lane, buffered curbside bike lanes, and a parking lane between the travel lane and bike lane buffer.

The selected option for North Washington Street between MD 28 and MD 355 (Option C) includes single travel lanes and buffered bike lanes on both sides, and a parking lane on the northbound side. The parking lane and the northbound bike lane are to be separated with a buffer zone to provide room for opening vehicles doors without impeding the bike lane.

The design seeks to shorten crossing distances for pedestrians while reducing traffic speed and adding protected bike lanes, curbside parking and loading zones to support businesses, with minimal impacts on traffic.

“By calming traffic and making the area accessible to short-term high-turnover parking as well as safe/accessible bike lanes, a road diet in the area fosters pedestrian life for retailers, providing a greater sense of space and adding urban context to [an] area that has a mix of land uses,” the consultant’s study states. “Finally, new bike lanes within the Rockville Town Center will provide last-mile connectivity to and from designated City/County biking routes outside the Town Center core.”

The projects will be proposed as part of the Capital Improvements Program budget for Fiscal Year 2022, when the two streets are scheduled for resurfacing. See page 2 for more about the Mayor and Council’s work on the budget for FY 2022, which begins July 1.

For more, including renderings of the approved options, the consultant’s report, and video of the presentation and discussion, find the Oct. 5 Mayor and Council agenda at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.

Most Recent Articles

Free Financial Empowerment Workshops Offered in July

Rockville is offering a free four-part financial empowerment series this July as part of the BankOn Rockville program to help residents strengthen their money management skills and prepare for future financial goals. BankOn is an initiative that connects low- to

Read More »

Celebrate the Fourth Safely

The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate. But leave the fireworks to the professionals.The private use and possession of fireworks, including sparklers, is illegal in Montgomery County and carries a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months

Read More »

Fresh Look, Familiar Fun

Rockville Swim and Fitness Center’s Outdoor Pool Reopens  Rockville made waves this summer with the reopening of the outdoor recreation pool at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center, following a transformative renovation project aimed at enhancing access, safety and enjoyment

Read More »

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get the best of “Rockville Reports” delivered right to your email and stay up to date on what’s happening in our city.

Contact Us

Email the City of Rockville’s Public Information Office.

About Rockville Reports

Rockville Reports is the official publication of the City of Rockville, published at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850.