February 1998 Volume 12 Number 1

I

Inside this Issue

1 Act Supports Focused Development Around

1 Transit Stations

Action Alert

3 Act Joins Coalition to Save Metrobus

3 Upcoming Meetings

4 Perils for P6-destrians

4 Silver Spring Metro Station Celebrates 20h Years

I

Editor - Dharm Guruswamy

President - Ben Ross Treasurer - Neil Greene Vice Presidents - Harry

Sanders Quon Kwan Tom Fuchs

Program Chair - Richard Mcardle McArdle

JTransit limes ACT Supports Focused Development Around Transit Stations Benjamin Ross

ACf has taken strong positions on two major county planning issues involving development around transit stations shythe Convention Center and the Friendship Heights Sector Plan In both cases ACT supported projects that NIMB Y groups are trying to squelch on the absurd grounds that building near transit stops will cause too much automobile traffic

Our actIOn on the Convention Center was triggered by a hearing examiners report in late November that urged rejection of the proposed site next to White Flint Metro because of auto traffic We wrote to the County Council pointing out that this recommendation was in direct contradiction to County and State policies of encouraging use of mass transit While ACT took no position when surrounding property-owners tried to move the Center to the other side of the tracks many of those who first supported the alternative site have now shifted to opposing a transit-friendly location outright Unfortunately County Executive Duncan seems to have caved in to the NIMBYs by cutting the size of the Convention Center in half without using less land

In Friendship Heights we supported an alternative plan that was worked out jointly by the Friendship Heights Village Association and several developers This plan improved an

already good recommendation b~ the Planning Board by increasing de=-sity near the Metro station and maki~ the streets move pedestrian-friendly Several civic associations compoed -middotf single-family homeowners outsiee the Sector Plan area are trying to em ~lck on development in Friends_hip Ht~ghts_ below even the leves recommer-d = the Planning Board The County Council has yet to take action

Both disputes point out a serious ~a~- in the Countys planning system Xo matter how well a site is served 1y transit development can and must be rejected if autos cant get there ut iQU

can build where there is no transi at JJ1 if theres good auto access In the current stormy debate over pay-mdshygo amendment this fundamentci PJ~t has not been addressed by either ide bull

Action Alert Campaignor Befter -fobility

Your help is neede now to SUpPJIT tb= Bethesda-Silver Spring light rail roje-L

I Trolley EIS - Asic Governor Glendening to include funding fer the final Environmental Impact S~enc on the light rail line in the 1999 budget Completion of this study is essettial to make the trolley project eligible for Federal funding Our campaign i lettef is attached

Write to Gov Paris Glendening State H0use Annapolis MD 2140[

2 Bethesda tunnel - County E~utive Duncan has asked for a special appropriation of $41 O()()() to put an interim hiker-biker trail through the tunnel under downtown Bethesda whe-e the light rail station is to be built Trolley opponents have been pushing

Transit Times The Newsletter of the Action Committee for Transit February 1998

this idea for years with the aim of -obstructing future construction of the transit line in the tunnel The Duncan proposal fails to provide a good pathway through Bethesda for cyclists and walkers instead forcing them to follow a twisting and unpleasant route through the middle of the future train station Details are given on the enclosed fact sheet

Letter to Govenwr

January241998

Governor Parris Glendening

State House

Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Governor Glendening

The thirty-five member organizations of the Campaign for Better Mobility believe that now is the time to resume forward movement on the BethesdashySilver Spring light rail line

While the ~~bers of cur -~Ec1 Cln

he found on both sides of the debate over the InterCounty Connector we all agree that better east-west transportation is needed in Montgomery County For better or worse the ICC is moving more slowly than planned We can ill afford any more unnecessary delays in the countys other major east-west transportation project the -Georgetown Branch light rail line

We urge you to fund completion of the Final Environmental Impact Study for the light rail line in the FY 1999 budget This will allow the project to move forward as soon as the County Council chooses its preferred alternative this fall

Should you choose to study the option of an underground heavy rail line as requested by the Montgomery County Council the Supplemental DEIS should be prepared with FY 1998 funding In this case the state should choose a preferred alternative immediately on

completion of the report and hearings so as to avoid delaying the Final EIS

We look forward to working with you on this important project which will benefit Marylands economy and its environment together

Sincerely

Ben Ross

Fact Sheet

PROPOSED INfERIM HIKER-BIKER TRAIL THROUGH BETHESDA TUNNEL

Prepared by

Campaign for Better Mobility

(For more information call Richard Hoye at 301-718-3484)

I This is a wasteful use of $330000 The interim trail will be torn up in a few years when the trolley is built through the tunnel The money can be better spent on permanent hiker-biker trail improvements in Bethesda and elsewhere in the County

The appropriation includes an additional $80()(X) to buy land for permanent trail access through Elm Street Park we support this portion

2 As proposed the trail could be misused by opponents of the BethesdashySilver Spring light rail line The Bethesda station of the trolley line needs to be in the tunnel to provide a good connection to Metrorail If trail users lack a good alternative route through Bethesda opponents could turn them against future transit construction

If the tunnel is opened to trail users on an interim basis it is essential that a high-quality above-ground trail be opened at the same time

3 The tunnel is more than 1000 feet long and will be less than 16 feet wide It curves so that you cant see the far

end requiring you to enter without knowing what may lie in front Dark fenced-off recesses will be visible throughout Many trail users especially women seniors and children will not use the tunnel because of worries about personal safety A safe pleasant aboveshyground alternative is needed

4 The Montgomery County Police in prior testimony have stated that video surveillance cameras are needed to assure safety in the tunnel Cameras are needed because trail users in a tunnel are not protected by the presence of retailers pedestrians and drivers whose constant observation creates the safe walking environment we enjoy in downtown Bethesda Video surveillance has now been deleted from the tunnel plan What has changed since the Police last testified

5 The Duncan proposal discriminates against residents of

Silver Spring who currently lack good access to the Capital Crescent Trail Currently the interim trail ends one mile short of downtown Silver Spring_ Silver Spring residents need the same quality of connection that is already lV~ilbe to Bethesd~ residents

To date the investmtnt in the Capital Crescent Trail has been disproportionately directed toward the Bethesda section Why not make a permanent investment in Sil ver Spring before spending money in Bethesda on something that will soon be torn up

6 The tunnel wiU be closed after dark Thus it will be useless for bicycling to and from work during the winter With no above-ground route through Bethesda residents of Chevy Chase and Silver Spring will be unable to use the trail for commuting Year-round those who live east of Wisconsin Avenue who rely on the trail for access to Bethesdas restaurants and other amenities will be stranded after dark when a safe route home is most needed

7 The proposal requires bicyclists to negotiate five sharp turns and ride on an eight-foot sidewalk before entering the west side of the tunnel This crowded winding pathway will fail utterly to meet the needs of adult bicyclists the

-

Transit TImes

most likely users of the tunnel The trail already has severe conflicts between users on its straight twelve-foot-wide dedicated right of way unless the Duncan plans other defects drive most users away from the new trail segment it will create new and more severe bottlenecks

8 The Duncan proposal fails to improve pedestrian conditions at the corner of Bethesda and Wood mont Avenues arguably the worst pedestrian crossing in Bethesda The proposal would spend $330000 to give trail users a temporary alternative to one traffic light crossing at Wisconsin Avenue It would make much more sense to fix the W oodmont Avenue intersection first something that could be done permanently and would benefit all of Bethesda

9 The Duncan plan was drafted in closed meetings between

County staff and transit opponents John Dugger and Henry Bartholomew Bicycle advocates and transit supporters were shut out

The trail through Beth(sda should be redesigned by a task fcrce that includes all interested parties Iie the task force the Council formed to lesign the trail east of Wisconsin Ave As approved in the Bethesda CBD Sedor Plan the new plan must include an above-ground trail that

bull Has a dedicated right of way separated from both auto traffic and sidewalks

bull Serves all potential trail users including women children and seniors

bull Is open at all hours

bull Includes well-designed crossings of all intersections

bull Creates a sense of belonging and a sense of participation in the community

bull Provides an urban experience that enhances the community it traversesbull

ACT JOINS COALITION TO PRESERVE METROBUS Benjamin Ross

ACT joined with MetroWatch the Metro workers union and other community groups around the region to oppose a plan to spin off much of the Metrobus system to local jurisdictions While the plan was adopted by the Metro Board the wide public opposition to the plan may limit the damage by convincing local governments to preserve the existing Metrobus service in their jurisdiction

The plan was proposed by the Regional Mobility Panel a group appointed by Metro under the chairmanship of John Milliken transportation committee chair of the Board of Trade The Panel started well by identifying many of the real problems with bus service in the region including a route np-twork that hasn t kept up with new development complex fare systems inadequate investment in new equipment and maintenance and most especially the lack of reliable financing

Unfortunately under the influence of Fairfax County Executive Kate Hanley and other local politicians the panel soon focused on only one goal

cutting Metrobus service so that local governments could spend less Wi~h great fanfare a plan was developed for realignment of Metrobus This had in essence two components transfer of all bus routes not of regional significance to local governments to be maintained under WMATA contracted out or shut down as the local government pleased and a shift in the funding formula so that Maryland would pay more and Virginia less

While trumpeted by the Board of Trade and the Washington Post as a way to save Metrobus in reality the plan offered nothing but cuts Suppposedly

Upcoming Meetings

All meetings are usually the second Tuesday of each month at 730 PM at the Silver Spring Community Center (25 blocJcs north of the Silver Spring Metro station on Georgia A venue)

bull February 10 1998

bull March 10 1998

bull April 14 1998

bull May 12 1998

bull June 91998

bull July 141998

bull August 14 1998

the local governments promise Let to

reduce their Metrobus subsidies or n bull ~ years but there is no way to enfcrce j~ promise and in any case the local routes can be eliminated on a politicians whim That the real 1gen of the exercise was pure cost-cutting ShOi1 by the ciassificurion of r OCI(

Any route now operated by a locu government - including even seiice _~ Dulles Airport - was determinec 0 kmiddot~

no regional significance

ACT played a significant role i opposing the plan An op-ed piee by our President Ben Ross appeare in Ltc Sunday Washington Post and numer-us members testified at public hearings and attended rallies

The issue is now quiescent Tasj Fo~s of the Mobility Panel which we supposed to address long-term rroble~ of financing and developing nemiddot rom~s have dropped out of sight with he re21 agenda of service cuts accomplished But the real implementation of 6e pL will begin with local governmet budgets that will be proposed in the next few months so the issue is likel to flare up again [Editors note Tbe Regional Mobility Panels plan is available on-line on Metros web site ~ httpwww wmatacom] bull

-~ ~ S~ r~ ~ - ~ _ -4vc0 ~_~ _ --~ __ ~- ~

Transit Times The Newsletter of the Action Committee for Transit February 1998

this idea for years with the aim of -obstructing future construction of the transit line in the tunnel The Duncan proposal fails to provide a good pathway through Bethesda for cyclists and walkers instead forcing them to follow a twisting and unpleasant route through the middle of the future train station Details are given on the enclosed fact sheet

Letter to Govenwr

January241998

Governor Parris Glendening

State House

Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Governor Glendening

The thirty-five member organizations of the Campaign for Better Mobility believe that now is the time to resume forward movement on the BethesdashySilver Spring light rail line

While the ~~bers of cur -~Ec1 Cln

he found on both sides of the debate over the InterCounty Connector we all agree that better east-west transportation is needed in Montgomery County For better or worse the ICC is moving more slowly than planned We can ill afford any more unnecessary delays in the countys other major east-west transportation project the -Georgetown Branch light rail line

We urge you to fund completion of the Final Environmental Impact Study for the light rail line in the FY 1999 budget This will allow the project to move forward as soon as the County Council chooses its preferred alternative this fall

Should you choose to study the option of an underground heavy rail line as requested by the Montgomery County Council the Supplemental DEIS should be prepared with FY 1998 funding In this case the state should choose a preferred alternative immediately on

completion of the report and hearings so as to avoid delaying the Final EIS

We look forward to working with you on this important project which will benefit Marylands economy and its environment together

Sincerely

Ben Ross

Fact Sheet

PROPOSED INfERIM HIKER-BIKER TRAIL THROUGH BETHESDA TUNNEL

Prepared by

Campaign for Better Mobility

(For more information call Richard Hoye at 301-718-3484)

I This is a wasteful use of $330000 The interim trail will be torn up in a few years when the trolley is built through the tunnel The money can be better spent on permanent hiker-biker trail improvements in Bethesda and elsewhere in the County

The appropriation includes an additional $80()(X) to buy land for permanent trail access through Elm Street Park we support this portion

2 As proposed the trail could be misused by opponents of the BethesdashySilver Spring light rail line The Bethesda station of the trolley line needs to be in the tunnel to provide a good connection to Metrorail If trail users lack a good alternative route through Bethesda opponents could turn them against future transit construction

If the tunnel is opened to trail users on an interim basis it is essential that a high-quality above-ground trail be opened at the same time

3 The tunnel is more than 1000 feet long and will be less than 16 feet wide It curves so that you cant see the far

end requiring you to enter without knowing what may lie in front Dark fenced-off recesses will be visible throughout Many trail users especially women seniors and children will not use the tunnel because of worries about personal safety A safe pleasant aboveshyground alternative is needed

4 The Montgomery County Police in prior testimony have stated that video surveillance cameras are needed to assure safety in the tunnel Cameras are needed because trail users in a tunnel are not protected by the presence of retailers pedestrians and drivers whose constant observation creates the safe walking environment we enjoy in downtown Bethesda Video surveillance has now been deleted from the tunnel plan What has changed since the Police last testified

5 The Duncan proposal discriminates against residents of

Silver Spring who currently lack good access to the Capital Crescent Trail Currently the interim trail ends one mile short of downtown Silver Spring_ Silver Spring residents need the same quality of connection that is already lV~ilbe to Bethesd~ residents

To date the investmtnt in the Capital Crescent Trail has been disproportionately directed toward the Bethesda section Why not make a permanent investment in Sil ver Spring before spending money in Bethesda on something that will soon be torn up

6 The tunnel wiU be closed after dark Thus it will be useless for bicycling to and from work during the winter With no above-ground route through Bethesda residents of Chevy Chase and Silver Spring will be unable to use the trail for commuting Year-round those who live east of Wisconsin Avenue who rely on the trail for access to Bethesdas restaurants and other amenities will be stranded after dark when a safe route home is most needed

7 The proposal requires bicyclists to negotiate five sharp turns and ride on an eight-foot sidewalk before entering the west side of the tunnel This crowded winding pathway will fail utterly to meet the needs of adult bicyclists the

-

Transit TImes

most likely users of the tunnel The trail already has severe conflicts between users on its straight twelve-foot-wide dedicated right of way unless the Duncan plans other defects drive most users away from the new trail segment it will create new and more severe bottlenecks

8 The Duncan proposal fails to improve pedestrian conditions at the corner of Bethesda and Wood mont Avenues arguably the worst pedestrian crossing in Bethesda The proposal would spend $330000 to give trail users a temporary alternative to one traffic light crossing at Wisconsin Avenue It would make much more sense to fix the W oodmont Avenue intersection first something that could be done permanently and would benefit all of Bethesda

9 The Duncan plan was drafted in closed meetings between

County staff and transit opponents John Dugger and Henry Bartholomew Bicycle advocates and transit supporters were shut out

The trail through Beth(sda should be redesigned by a task fcrce that includes all interested parties Iie the task force the Council formed to lesign the trail east of Wisconsin Ave As approved in the Bethesda CBD Sedor Plan the new plan must include an above-ground trail that

bull Has a dedicated right of way separated from both auto traffic and sidewalks

bull Serves all potential trail users including women children and seniors

bull Is open at all hours

bull Includes well-designed crossings of all intersections

bull Creates a sense of belonging and a sense of participation in the community

bull Provides an urban experience that enhances the community it traversesbull

ACT JOINS COALITION TO PRESERVE METROBUS Benjamin Ross

ACT joined with MetroWatch the Metro workers union and other community groups around the region to oppose a plan to spin off much of the Metrobus system to local jurisdictions While the plan was adopted by the Metro Board the wide public opposition to the plan may limit the damage by convincing local governments to preserve the existing Metrobus service in their jurisdiction

The plan was proposed by the Regional Mobility Panel a group appointed by Metro under the chairmanship of John Milliken transportation committee chair of the Board of Trade The Panel started well by identifying many of the real problems with bus service in the region including a route np-twork that hasn t kept up with new development complex fare systems inadequate investment in new equipment and maintenance and most especially the lack of reliable financing

Unfortunately under the influence of Fairfax County Executive Kate Hanley and other local politicians the panel soon focused on only one goal

cutting Metrobus service so that local governments could spend less Wi~h great fanfare a plan was developed for realignment of Metrobus This had in essence two components transfer of all bus routes not of regional significance to local governments to be maintained under WMATA contracted out or shut down as the local government pleased and a shift in the funding formula so that Maryland would pay more and Virginia less

While trumpeted by the Board of Trade and the Washington Post as a way to save Metrobus in reality the plan offered nothing but cuts Suppposedly

Upcoming Meetings

All meetings are usually the second Tuesday of each month at 730 PM at the Silver Spring Community Center (25 blocJcs north of the Silver Spring Metro station on Georgia A venue)

bull February 10 1998

bull March 10 1998

bull April 14 1998

bull May 12 1998

bull June 91998

bull July 141998

bull August 14 1998

the local governments promise Let to

reduce their Metrobus subsidies or n bull ~ years but there is no way to enfcrce j~ promise and in any case the local routes can be eliminated on a politicians whim That the real 1gen of the exercise was pure cost-cutting ShOi1 by the ciassificurion of r OCI(

Any route now operated by a locu government - including even seiice _~ Dulles Airport - was determinec 0 kmiddot~

no regional significance

ACT played a significant role i opposing the plan An op-ed piee by our President Ben Ross appeare in Ltc Sunday Washington Post and numer-us members testified at public hearings and attended rallies

The issue is now quiescent Tasj Fo~s of the Mobility Panel which we supposed to address long-term rroble~ of financing and developing nemiddot rom~s have dropped out of sight with he re21 agenda of service cuts accomplished But the real implementation of 6e pL will begin with local governmet budgets that will be proposed in the next few months so the issue is likel to flare up again [Editors note Tbe Regional Mobility Panels plan is available on-line on Metros web site ~ httpwww wmatacom] bull

-~ ~ S~ r~ ~ - ~ _ -4vc0 ~_~ _ --~ __ ~- ~

Transit TImes

most likely users of the tunnel The trail already has severe conflicts between users on its straight twelve-foot-wide dedicated right of way unless the Duncan plans other defects drive most users away from the new trail segment it will create new and more severe bottlenecks

8 The Duncan proposal fails to improve pedestrian conditions at the corner of Bethesda and Wood mont Avenues arguably the worst pedestrian crossing in Bethesda The proposal would spend $330000 to give trail users a temporary alternative to one traffic light crossing at Wisconsin Avenue It would make much more sense to fix the W oodmont Avenue intersection first something that could be done permanently and would benefit all of Bethesda

9 The Duncan plan was drafted in closed meetings between

County staff and transit opponents John Dugger and Henry Bartholomew Bicycle advocates and transit supporters were shut out

The trail through Beth(sda should be redesigned by a task fcrce that includes all interested parties Iie the task force the Council formed to lesign the trail east of Wisconsin Ave As approved in the Bethesda CBD Sedor Plan the new plan must include an above-ground trail that

bull Has a dedicated right of way separated from both auto traffic and sidewalks

bull Serves all potential trail users including women children and seniors

bull Is open at all hours

bull Includes well-designed crossings of all intersections

bull Creates a sense of belonging and a sense of participation in the community

bull Provides an urban experience that enhances the community it traversesbull

ACT JOINS COALITION TO PRESERVE METROBUS Benjamin Ross

ACT joined with MetroWatch the Metro workers union and other community groups around the region to oppose a plan to spin off much of the Metrobus system to local jurisdictions While the plan was adopted by the Metro Board the wide public opposition to the plan may limit the damage by convincing local governments to preserve the existing Metrobus service in their jurisdiction

The plan was proposed by the Regional Mobility Panel a group appointed by Metro under the chairmanship of John Milliken transportation committee chair of the Board of Trade The Panel started well by identifying many of the real problems with bus service in the region including a route np-twork that hasn t kept up with new development complex fare systems inadequate investment in new equipment and maintenance and most especially the lack of reliable financing

Unfortunately under the influence of Fairfax County Executive Kate Hanley and other local politicians the panel soon focused on only one goal

cutting Metrobus service so that local governments could spend less Wi~h great fanfare a plan was developed for realignment of Metrobus This had in essence two components transfer of all bus routes not of regional significance to local governments to be maintained under WMATA contracted out or shut down as the local government pleased and a shift in the funding formula so that Maryland would pay more and Virginia less

While trumpeted by the Board of Trade and the Washington Post as a way to save Metrobus in reality the plan offered nothing but cuts Suppposedly

Upcoming Meetings

All meetings are usually the second Tuesday of each month at 730 PM at the Silver Spring Community Center (25 blocJcs north of the Silver Spring Metro station on Georgia A venue)

bull February 10 1998

bull March 10 1998

bull April 14 1998

bull May 12 1998

bull June 91998

bull July 141998

bull August 14 1998

the local governments promise Let to

reduce their Metrobus subsidies or n bull ~ years but there is no way to enfcrce j~ promise and in any case the local routes can be eliminated on a politicians whim That the real 1gen of the exercise was pure cost-cutting ShOi1 by the ciassificurion of r OCI(

Any route now operated by a locu government - including even seiice _~ Dulles Airport - was determinec 0 kmiddot~

no regional significance

ACT played a significant role i opposing the plan An op-ed piee by our President Ben Ross appeare in Ltc Sunday Washington Post and numer-us members testified at public hearings and attended rallies

The issue is now quiescent Tasj Fo~s of the Mobility Panel which we supposed to address long-term rroble~ of financing and developing nemiddot rom~s have dropped out of sight with he re21 agenda of service cuts accomplished But the real implementation of 6e pL will begin with local governmet budgets that will be proposed in the next few months so the issue is likel to flare up again [Editors note Tbe Regional Mobility Panels plan is available on-line on Metros web site ~ httpwww wmatacom] bull

-~ ~ S~ r~ ~ - ~ _ -4vc0 ~_~ _ --~ __ ~- ~

Translt Times The Newsletter of the Action Committee for Transit Februsry 1998

Perils for Pedestrians Perils For Pedestrians TV appears weekly on Montgomery Community Television (Cable Channel 491 Cable Ready 23) Wednesdays at 1030 pm and is repeated Fridays at 330 pm Viewers outside Montgomery County should call their local public access station for times in their area

More information about the program is available on the intemet at

bttpllwwwaxsamerorg-pedperil

For more information on the show you can contact John Whetmore via e-mail at

wetmoreerolscom shy

Action Committee for Transit

PO Box 7074

Silver Spring MD 20907

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Monty the Silver Spring mascot greets Congresswoman Connie Morella with County Executive Duncan Governor Parris N Glendening and Metro General

Manager Richard A White in the hackground [Photo and caption Montgomery County]

Harry Sanders 1710 Noyes Lane Silver spring MD 20910