On November 4, the Greenbelt City Council shared concerns about Greenbelt Road (Route 193), and its connections with adjoining roadways in Greenbelt, with representatives of the State Highway Administration (SHA) in a worksession. Some of these concerns are long-standing, while others are derived from proposed redevelopment along this corridor. The SHA representatives were Strategic Communications and Public Relations Lead Shannon Coyne, Civil Engineer Peter Campanides and Regional Planner David Rodgers. Members of the Berwyn Heights council were present as well.
A discussion on the proposed Royal Farms development along 193 and Capitol Drive began the meeting, focusing on the issue of tree removal on the site. Said Director of Planning and Community Development Terri Hruby, in a separate interview, “Royal Farms has indicated that they will be applying to SHA to do clearing in the SHA right-of-way to accommodate storm water management facilities.” Council was opposed to this measure, with Councilmember Rodney Roberts suggesting removal was unnecessary if part of the site were to remain undeveloped. Council urged SHA to be kept in the ongoing decision process, with Coyne saying that SHA would look into the matter on behalf of council.
Coyne said that the plan to have access to the site via 193 had been changed to be via Capitol Drive, thus negating the need for a SHA-approved permit. Hruby stated that currently the area is prone to accidents, with 12 occurring in the last five years. Introducing a Royal Farms station would potentially exacerbate this risk.
Council expressed frustration over another long-standing problem with the intersection of Lakecrest Drive and 193; characterized by several on the council as a “nightmare” due to a combination of high traffic and dangerous turns. Councilmember Judith Davis described the area as “a weird confluence of traffic patterns,” congested by proximity to the Belle Point offices and the American Legion, among other factors. Council was clear in their request for a complete redesign of the intersection, with problems running along a half-mile stretch from Southway to Capitol Cadillac, said Councilmember Edward Putens. Campanides reported that a study mounted by SHA revealed a general compliance with crossing signals by cars and pedestrians. Even so, he agreed to assess the area again to see what could be done, but added that a geometric redesign was unlikely.
Resident Michael Hartman asked if the southbound Baltimore/Washington Parkway ramp onto 193 could be widened to alleviate congestion. Campanides replied that all ramps on this roadway are controlled by the National Park Service, with Davis stating that council had asked several times for this improvement.
Rodgers informed council that currently SHA has no projects planned for the long-discussed proposal to redevelop 193 into a multimodal corridor, safe for pedestrians and bikes. He said that it is not included in the state’s Consolidated Transportation Plan. Councilmember Emmett Jordan noted that the proposal is on the county’s transportation priority list. He said that the proposal needs to move ahead immediately, as only a proactive effort will stave off future crises, with extensive development on the horizon.
Rodgers urged Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights and College Park to create a master plan that would act as a springboard to future efforts. He also recommended that the three cities look first at achieving smaller efforts, using available funds, citing the lack of state finances at the moment. Council and Berwyn Heights Councilmember Ethan Sweep asked SHA to attend upcoming meetings on this in order to better steer the effort in an effective manner, stressing the necessity of active SHA involvement. Rodgers agreed to provide representatives.
Council made a request for a sign along 193 that would direct passers-by to Old Greenbelt and the shopping at Roosevelt Center. Campanides told council that a “generic,” historic sign might be possible, citing the restrictions involved in signage. Davis said that this was better than nothing.
Council asked for a crosswalk at the Southway/193 intersection to make crossing over to
Greenway Center safer. Campanides explained that a traffic count would need to be done to see if it is warranted.
Operational changes have been made to sections of 193 intersecting with Kenilworth Avenue, including: no turn on red at southbound Kenilworth into westbound 193; and, a more conspicuous signal from eastbound 193 to north Kenilworth, with the stop line moved slightly back. Red light cameras, which were removed due to construction, might be reinstalled if these changes prove not effective.
Campanides expressed the challenges of transforming 193 into a multimodal roadway, saying that “it’s not as easy as it looks.” He said the corridor is classified as a suburban town center, noting that it is “vehicular centric” and “business heavy.” Noting that SHA is committed to the “zero vision” being implemented throughout the state to reduce accidents, he said that improved walkability through enhanced crosswalk design could be achieved more easily than better bikeability. He felt adding more lanes is probably not the solution, with the emphasis more on repurposing the area.
Jordan summed up the situation as “a long expensive process,” stressing the need for action, and emphasizing that “developments are coming fast,” such as the 2,500 residential units planned for the Beltway Plaza redevelopment.