Middlebrook Road Project (Germantown)

The Vision Zero Action Plan for 2020 includes implementing lane narrowing along Middlebrook Road, which is designed to slow vehicle speeds. In addition, the anticipated final project provides increased physical buffers, flex posts, and quick curbs between travel lanes and sidewalks and between travel lanes and cycle track. The improvements are considered a quick build project to support Vision Zero goals and employ an innovative approach to making lower-cost, short-term safety treatments on a street with identified safety improvement needs.
This project is a continuation of MCDOT’s recent safety initiatives in this area, including speed limit reduction on Middlebrook Road and modifying traffic signals for improved safety at intersections.

For overall project context, the M-NCPPC Boyds Marc Plan recommended a road diet for this area of Middlebrook, and  MCDOT subsequently committed to investigating the area for implementation. Further analysis indicated the road diet would cause more severe traffic impacts to Middlebrook Road than initially anticipated. Accordingly, the recommended road diet was modified to include the removal of one eastbound vehicle lane and narrowing for the remaining eastbound and westbound travel lanes. The project is an interim road diet – if traffic operations along Middlebrook progress to the growth that the Boyds Marc plan laid out in their development, then roadway design would be evaluated and adjusted as needed.

There will be two eastbound lanes and three westbound lanes with widths that vary slightly, from 10-11’. These lane widths are narrower than the existing lanes to help slow traffic while still providing safe travel for vehicles.

There are two bicycle lanes (one for each direction) located adjacent to each other on the eastbound side of Middlebrook Road. Each of the two bicycle lanes is generally 6’ (12’ total), but is narrower in some areas where space is limited (i.e. shared platform at the bus stop just east of Crystal Rock Drive).

There is protection for the entire length of the project (excluding intersections to allow vehicle movement). Protection includes quick curb and a striped buffer that is generally 5’ wide, but slightly wider and narrower depending on roadway geometry in some locations. For this project, parking space headers (concrete stop used to stop cars in parking spots) will be installed as quick curb.



In addition to bicycle lane protection, there will be sidewalk protection on the westbound lanes that includes striping, quick curb, and flex posts to create a sidewalk buffer. For those cyclists who prefer not to cross to the cycletrack, they may stay on the sidewalk on the westbound side and will have increased separation from traffic.

All pedestrians and cyclists should also benefit from added protection of slowed vehicle speeds from the effects of narrower vehicle lane widths.

The green pavement markings show where the bike lanes cross pedestrian or motor vehicle access points and indicate areas of potential conflict. For example, the striping helps draw attention to the possibility of a bicyclist crossing in front of a vehicle, similar to the way a crosswalk draws attention to the possibility of a pedestrian crossing in front of a vehicle.

MCDOT worked extensively with MDOT SHA District 3 to ensure that County and State engineers agree upon best safety practices at intersections between Middlebrook Road and state roads. Engineers aimed to provide more protective features than the required standards currently included in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

• Germantown Road (MD 118): The project begins 10’ east of the intersection with MD 118. There is no on-street facility for the cyclists at this location. A ramp will bring cyclists up to the sidewalk (which is widened as a part of the project) so they can dismount and cross at the crosswalk during the pedestrian phase of the signal.
• Crystal Rock Drive: Reduced conflict with westbound Middlebrook Road by providing an exclusive left turn phase for westbound Middlebrook Road that clears out the majority of the queue for left turning vehicles. Also adding leading pedestrian interval at the intersection signal. Signing will instruct cyclists to use the pedestrian signals, so cyclists will also benefit from the leading interval. Westbound cyclists will be directed to cross with the pedestrian signal.
• Great Seneca Highway (MD 119): MCDOT coordinated extensively with MDOT SHA D3 to include improvements to be installed by MCDOT as part of MCDOT’s project. Bike turn queue boxes will be added on the eastern leg to provide cyclists with a safe and visible way to queue at an intersection. Westbound cyclists will be directed to cross with the pedestrian signal. Bike crossings on southern and eastern legs have no conflict with westbound Middlebrook Road. Quick curb will provide extended bike protection into the intersection. MCDOT is seeking removal of the existing conflict of eastbound vehicles making a right turn at the intersection by adding a right turn signal; quick curb, turn hardening, signal phasing, and other features of the project design also serve to reduce conflict. To support the desired change, MCDOT has developed a traffic study to be submitted to MDSHA in August 2020. MDSHA is aware of the pending traffic study and is supportive of the concept.

The project aims to increase visibility of cyclists and awareness of their presence to drivers by the inclusion of flex posts and green pavement striping to indicate crossing travel by cyclists.

Two access (and potential conflict) points along Middlebrook Road will be removed by Montgomery County Public Schools as a part of their Seneca Valley High School redevelopment project. Signing and marking improvements are planned at the one other access point across the bicycle lanes, and an innovative and new-to-Montgomery County shared platform will be included at the bus stop located within the project bounds. The bus platform will be similar to one installed recently by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) near Gallaudet University.

The bulk of the project including repaving and striping are being done as a part of the existing repaving program performed by MCDOT Highway Services and total $435K. The costs specific to bicycle and pedestrian improvements are estimated to be approximately $120K.

In addition to the MCPS project designs that reduce entrances to and from Middlebrook Road, MCDOT has:

• Installed a new traffic signal at Wisteria Drive & Crystal Rock Drive.
• Worked with MD SHA on pedestrian safety upgrades at the intersection of Middlebrook & Great Seneca Highway (MD 119).
• Pedestrian safety improvements along Middlebrook Rd including adding new sidewalk sections around obstructions.
• Added lead pedestrian intervals at Middlebrook Road & Crystal Rock Drive.
• Upgraded crosswalks to continental style (ladder) crosswalks and made ADA ramp improvements along Middlebrook Road.