Wheaton greenway adds new pedestrian safety upgrades
A local project designed to make streets safer for walking and bicycling has completed its first phase, bringing new speed-reduction measures and pedestrian safety upgrades to a 1.2-mile stretch in Wheaton, county transportation officials announced Monday.
The project aims to lower vehicle speeds and reduce traffic volume on residential streets near Westfield Wheaton Mall. Improvements span McComas Avenue between St. Paul Street and Georgia Avenue, along with portions of Douglas Avenue, Windham Lane, and Drumm Avenue.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin said the McComas Avenue Greenway project was designed and constructed in close cooperation with area residents.
“Based on recurring feedback, the project team expanded the McComas Avenue Neighborhood Greenway project limits beyond Georgia Avenue to connect with the future Amherst Avenue Bikeway to provide safe, continuous access to employment, residential, and retail centers in Wheaton,” Conklin said, adding “We are grateful to our residents for their active participation, as we work to develop a transportation infrastructure that is safe, equitable, and accessible.”
More than 200 community members submitted feedback through surveys, public meetings, and email outreach coordinated alongside the Kensington Heights Civic Association, leading planners to expand the project's original boundaries.
Initial plans for the greenway originated in the 2018 Montgomery County Bicycle Master Plan, with design work accelerating after local residents requested expanded travel options following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key infrastructure additions along the McComas Avenue corridor include raised intersections, raised crosswalks and specific street design elements to slow vehicles near Stephen Knolls School. High-visibility crosswalk striping, bike sharrows, new sidewalk connections and curb extensions were also installed to shorten crossing distances and reduce turning speeds.
Adjustments along Drumm Avenue feature speed humps, updated crosswalk striping and sidewalk additions designed to eliminate gaps in the pedestrian network. All new curb ramps and walkways were built to meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards.
Traffic safety data indicates that neighborhood greenway designs can reduce total traffic deaths and serious injuries by up to 30%, with a similar reduction in pedestrian-specific casualties.
Construction on a 0.10-mile second phase is scheduled to begin later this year.
The final phase will link the McComas Avenue Greenway to the upcoming Amherst Avenue Bikeway, establishing a continuous route connecting residential areas to the Wheaton Central Business District and regional transit options, including RideOn bus routes and MetroRail.
