Transportation Safety & Improvements in Rock Creek HIlls

Dear neighbors,

Please find below the response we received today, from the Director of the
Montgomery County Department of Transportation, to our email of last month,
which you may read at
<https://rchca.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/RCHCA_MCDOT_20171109.pdf>

With best regards,
Jim Pekar
President, Rock Creek Hills Citizens’ Association

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Roshdieh, Al <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Dec 18, 2017 at 2:56 PM
Subject: RE: Transportation Safety & Improvements in Rock Creek HIlls
To: “[email protected]” <[email protected]>
Cc: “Johnston, Bruce” <[email protected]>, “Conklin,
Christopher” <[email protected]>, “Berliner’s
Office, Councilmember” <[email protected]>,
“Bilgrami, Khursheed” <[email protected]>,
“Kingsley, Frank” <[email protected]>, “Melvin, Janet” < [email protected]>, “[email protected]” < [email protected]>

Dear Mr. Pekar:

Thank you for your email dated November 9, 2017, concerning Rock Creek
Hills community’s request to conduct an area transportation study including
sidewalk installation, implementing access restrictions, implementing
traffic calming and improving geometry at two intersections within your
community. Montgomery County has been at the forefront of a regional
effort to improve pedestrian and traffic safety and we are proud of the
significant improvements that have been made over the last few years. I
applaud your efforts to bring traffic and pedestrian safety issues to our
attention so that we can continue with our efforts to improve safety for
all road users in the County.

Our Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations (DTEO) will conduct a
comprehensive investigation to determine the possibility of installing
several improvements that were outlined in your email. After completing
the investigation, DTEO staff will get back to you with their findings and
recommendations.

If you have any questions regarding traffic and operations, please feel
free to contact Mr. Khursheed Bilgrami, in our Division of Traffic
Engineering and Operation, at [email protected] or
at 240-777-2190 <(240)%20777-2190>.

The Division of Transportation Engineering (DTE) manages the Annual
Sidewalk Program for MCDOT. The main goal of the Annual Sidewalk Program
is to provide safer access for pedestrians and handicap citizens to schools
and nearby public transportation and/or facilities.

DTE is currently in the process of conducting on-site investigations along
the roadways requested in your letter to determine whether or not
installing new sidewalks are feasible. If the investigations reveal
sidewalk construction is feasible (available public right-of-way, no
significant obstructions to prevent construction, etc.), DTE will notify
you and the adjacent property owners with details of the project and the
construction impacts associated with the proposed sidewalk. Details will
be made available after all investigations are complete.

As part of the entire sidewalk construction process, a public hearing will
be required. The public hearing allows citizens an opportunity to present
oral and/or written testimony to support or oppose a proposed sidewalk
project. The entire process can require six months or more to complete.
If you have any questions regarding the status of your request or for
information to install new sidewalks, please contact Frank Kingsley, Annual
Sidewalk Program Manager, by e-mail at [email protected]
or call 240-777-7213 <(240)%20777-7213>. For information concerning the
public hearing, process you can contact Jan Melvin by e-mail at
[email protected] or call 240-777-7271 <(240)%20777-7271>.

Sincerely,

*Al R. Roshdieh, Director*

*Department of Transportation*

*Montgomery County, MD*

*[email protected] <[email protected]>*

Tel: 240-777-7175 <(240)%20777-7175>