Woodland Drive Temporary Neighborhood Greenway Begins as County ‘Shared Streets’ Program Makes More Local Roads Friendlier for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

A local street in Montgomery County has been transformed into more friendly roadway for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-vehicular users as the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) unveiled the newest “Shared Street” in a program that encourages roads to be shared by vehicles and other users. 

Shared Streets “Temporary Neighborhood Greenways” limit vehicular traffic to local traffic only, providing access to residents, service providers and deliveries. The concept restricts other traffic to support shared outdoor uses in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. The addition of the Woodland Drive location to the Shared Streets program brings the total area designated as temporary neighborhood greenways to 6.4 miles of roadway.

The newest addition to the Shared Streets Program includes: 

• Woodland Drive South between Spring Street and Flora Lane in Silver Spring totaling one mile. Near Downtown Silver Spring, Montgomery Hills/Seminary shopping and dining and Forest Glen Metro.
• Woodland Drive North between Forest Glen Road and Amherst Avenue at Windham Lane in Silver Spring, totaling 1.1 miles. Near Wheaton shopping and dining, Windham Lane Temporary Neighborhood Greenway, General Getty Park, Evans Parkway Neighborhood Park and Forest Glen Metro.

A complete list of all Shared Streets locations and initiatives, including maps, can be viewed at MCDOT’s Shared Streets website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dot/sharedstreets/.

Shared Streets programs have also included the partial closing of streets to allow restaurants to expand their outdoor seating during the health crisis while maintaining ADA-compliant pedestrian access along sidewalks. MCDOT’s efforts have supported the programs of Downtown Bethesda’s “Streetery,” Silver Spring’s “Streetdine” and Wheaton’s "Streetery."

The Shared Streets concept supports the County’s Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate severe injuries and fatalities from traffic-related incidents by 2030.

Reduced and slower traffic aims to enable people to walk, ride bicycles or use scooters without competing against fast-moving vehicles. Although MCDOT has been planning Neighborhood Greenways projects for some time, the rapid and temporary implementation at this time was inspired in response to the health crisis.