Rally Planned for Nov. 3 Following Two Traffic Deaths

Bethesda residents will rally on Nov. 3 to push state transportation officials for better safety measures along Massachusetts Avenue and River Road, where at least two pedestrian deaths have happened in recent months.

Montgomery Community Media reports the event is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. at the Little Falls Library near the communities along Massachusetts Avenue and River Road in Bethesda. On Aug. 28, bicyclist Tim Holden was killed in a crash on Massachusetts Avenue. On Oct. 21, Marge Wyro, a pedestrian, was killed trying to cross River Road.

“The loss of even one life as a result of a pedestrian or auto accident along River Road is unacceptable and we have to show the State Highway Administration how we feel,” Phyllis Edelman, president of the Springfield Civic Association, told the media outlet. “The SHA appears more concerned with following old-school engineering guidelines than the safety of our community members.”

Residents need to mobilize to show the State how important it is that road safety be improved, said County Councilman Roger Berliner, the council’s representative on the countywide Pedestrian, Bicycle and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.

The Maryland Secretary of Transportation, the State Highway Administrator and the District 16 representatives to the Maryland General Assembly have been invited to meet with residents. Berliner reached out to Secretary Pete Rahn personally. The State Highway Administration is in the midst of a traffic safety study on Massachusetts Avenue.

“For the hundreds of families living in the neighborhoods around River Road and Massachusetts Avenue, traffic issues and road safety are of the utmost importance,” said Nicky Goraya, president of the Glen Mar Park Community Association. “These arteries not only serve a huge volume of cars, but also are navigated by many bikers and pedestrians without proper safeguards, such as bike lanes, lights, sidewalks and crosswalks. It is essential that Montgomery County and the State of Maryland take the necessary action immediately to make these roads safe for all who use them.”