Bike Lanes Temporarily Added to University Boulevard in Pilot Program

University Boulevard from Amherst to Arcola Avenues in Silver Spring is expected to become a shared streets pilot project to enable bicyclists to have their own travel lanes this summer until late fall.

Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration has designed plans with the goal of balancing different forms of transportation to and from commercial, residential and recreational centers in this area of Wheaton and Silver Spring. Travel lanes temporarily will be repurposed adjacent to the curbs on westbound and eastbound University Boulevard, which is MD 193, for bicyclists.

When the pilot program ends, the road will return to all-vehicular use.

A virtual informational meeting is set for May 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Click here to attend.

The state installed two Mobile MULTI Eco-Counter devices along University Boulevard at Sligo Creek Parkway and Westchester Drive. These devices will provide continuous data on pedestrian and bikers. This information will help the state understand if there is a need for special lanes.

Work to create the new lanes is set to begin later this spring.

Click on the diagram below to see what is proposed.

About Suzanne Pollak

Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers, magazines, non-profit newsletters and the web.

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