September 10, 2007 Update (P. Poggi)
By now you may have seen the red flags along the sides of Quince Orchard Road. Please do not be alarmed. The work promised by Public Works, in agreement with the plan as approved by the Montgomery County Council, is commencing. This is the same plan that was requested by the community, and supported by the North Potomac Citizens Association. You will find a detailed explanation of the changes by clicking on the Department of Public Works and Transportation Summer Newsletter.
April 3, 2006 Update (P. Poggi)
On March 9, the MC Transportation and Environment (T&E) committee consisting of council members Floreen(C), Leventhal, and Perez, after listening to arguments from DPWT and testimony of Officers of the MCPD, voted to NOT proceed with any effort to realign the curves or to touch the bridge. Of the original DPWT proposal, only the right turn lane onto Dufief Mill Road was accepted Finally, on Tuesday, September 21st, the full County Council "straw" voted to accept the recommendations of the T&E committee.
While in the minds of many, the best interest of the Quince Orchard Community has for a second time prevailed, not all may agree The problem is one of balancing the danger that the curve presents against the danger presented by increasing speed through the park area. While there have been occasions where cars have hit the rail, the fact remains that the number of accidents that occurred is very small, and the accidents have all been minor. These incidents pale in comparison against the number and severity of the accidents that occur throughout the remainder of the road. As the Montgomery County Police testified during the recent T&E meeting this month, drivers do slow down through those curves. The severe accidents, including the one fatality on that road, happen along the straighter sections.
In response to the original Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) proposal of 2000, the community requested only improvements to the specific areas which have historically experienced the most severe accidents. In 2004, the Montgomery County Council supported that request by providing funds to rework the road by Quince Orchard High School, making it safer for crossing pedestrians and driving students. The tree that encroached onto the curve by Damson Drive has been removed. The large hill by Wonder View Way will soon be cut to eliminate the blind spot that prevents turning drivers from seeing oncoming traffic. A curve that banks the wrong way is going to be graded correctly. A right turn lane onto Dufief Mill Rd. will also be added.
Can something be done to make the other curves "easier' to negotiate, without increasing speed at the Potomac Horse Center and Brougham Way? That would be a good question for the engineers. Unfortunately, our experiences with the Department of Public Works and Transportation has shown us that they refuse to listen to or seriously address the concerns of the communities that they are supposed to serve. Their tactics throughout the last six years have been unconscionable. Certainly not what one would expect from a public utility. Given any substantial budget, we feel they would undoubtedly revert to their original plan that the community found outrageous and unacceptable. Our only recourse, therefore, is to cut them off from funding until a point in time that their executive management adopts a more cooperative policy
One thing we have learned, however, is that with DPWT it's never really over. Even though the Council has TWICE rule