Rockville advanced several Vision Zero projects this summer, including a study of potential safety improvements to Mannakee Street, construction of a sidewalk along West Gude Drive and a shared-use path along Scott and Veirs drives.
The projects are part of the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries.
In July, city staff completed the Mannakee Street Complete Streets Study. The feasibility study, funded by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Land-Use Connections Program, proposes roadway improvements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and traffic-calming measures to reduce speeding vehicles.
A Complete Streets approach identifies potential improvements to help people drive, walk, roll, bike and use transit more safely. The city has already completed some of the proposed improvements at the intersection of Mannakee Street and Smallwood Road, and will continue to evaluate the proposed improvements to identify which can be completed soon or as part of other ongoing roadway improvement projects.
The city also completed construction of a new sidewalk on the north side of West Gude Drive from MD 355 to Watkins Pond Boulevard. Replanting of the willow oak trees removed during construction is scheduled for this fall.
COG’s Transportation Planning Board in July approved a $200,000 grant for the design of a shared-use path along Scott and Veirs drives, between the city boundary and Wootton Parkway, with a connection to the Carl Henn Millennium Trail. This shared use path will be one component of a Bikeway Master Plan “Crosstown Route.”
The board also approved a $371,000 grant for the city to install up to four bikeshare stations in Twinbrook as part of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Carbon Reduction Program.
Read the Mannakee Street study and find more information about these and other projects related to Vision Zero at www.rockvillemd.gov/visionzeroprojects.