The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) will host a public informational workshop from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, in Silver Spring to provide information and receive feedback on proposals to improve pedestrian access and safety along MD 650 (New Hampshire Avenue) in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
The workshop will be held at Cresthaven Elementary School, which is located at 1234 Cresthaven Drive in Silver Spring.
The MD 650 corridor between MD 193 (University Boulevard) and Powder Mill Road is planned for safety improvements as part of the State Highway Administration’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. The plan identifies areas of need and prioritizes corridors for pedestrian and bicycle safety projects.
At the informational workshop, SHA staff will be available to discuss project-specific details. There will be no formal presentation. Those attending may arrive at any time to view displays, ask questions and provide feedback. Materials also will be posted on the MD 650 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Project Portal page.
Spanish-language interpreters will be available at the workshop to assist with communication and respond to questions. Others seeking an interpreter for hearing or speech difficulties or assistance with the English language may email SHATitleVI@mdot.maryland.gov in advance of the event. Indicate the desired language in the subject line. Maryland Relay Service can assist teletype users at 7-1-1.
Questions about the workshop or general inquiries may be directed to Senior Safety Officer Joseph Moges at jmoges@mdot.maryland.gov or Community Relations Manager Holly Pearl at Hpearl@mdot.maryland.gov.
The Pedestrian Safety Action Plan was published in May 2023, and five initial corridors were identified for improvements late last year. Along with MD 650, the other corridors are MD 410 (East-West Highway) in Prince George’s County, MD, 150 (Eastern Avenue) in Baltimore County, US 1 (Washington Boulevard) in Howard County and MD 2 (Ritchie Highway) in Anne Arundel County.
Working with community residents, officials and other stakeholders, SHA is developing strategies to enhance safety for all roadway users along these corridors by increasing safety and mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Pedestrian Safety Action Plan is a key component of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Complete Streets Policy, which prioritizes safe, reliable, equitable and sustainable travel across all modes to make roads safer and connect Marylanders to jobs, education and economic opportunity.
Projects under the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan also support Maryland’s Vision Zero goal, which seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries on state roadways by 2030.
