Save The Trail Coalition

Testimony -- December 10, 2009

before the Montgomery County Planning Board

Susan Ingram, Chevy Chase

My name is Susan Ingram.  I live in Chevy Chase, MD. The proposed functional plan for the Purple Line is equivalent for me to a plan to close Wisconsin or 270 for people who drive cars.  Because the changes that are being proposed will have such dramatically negative impact on me, I ask you to walk in my shoes for just three minutes tonight.

   I have a degenerative eye condition and do not have vision necessary for driving or navigating new or changing environments.  I moved into the neighborhood twenty years ago when I found myself in the unexpected position of needing to raise my two children by myself.  The trail has been my main pathway and that of my two sons until they were able to drive, to access school, shopping and recreation. 

The trail is equivalent for me to a major road for people who drive, as I can independently access my community by going on and off it, without ever crossing busy roads, on routes I have learned over twenty years. My sons, when they were younger, could get to school, friends houses, movies, restaurants, parks, the pool, etc. In short I was able to live safely and enjoy the many opportunities in our community just like everyone else, and both of my children happily made it to adulthood in one piece.

By moving the rail to the neighborhood side of the trail, I will no longer be able to access the trail safely, which is about a hundred yards from my house.  Crossing a double track with trains coming in both directions is out of the question for me.  I will have the choice of walking to Wisconsin and crossing it at great risk, or walking about a half mile out of my way to the tunnel under Wisconsin.   I avoid crossing major roads like Wisconsin as I was grazed by a car turning right on red about ten years ago, even though I had the right of way as a pedestrian.  I wasn't hurt that time, but decided I couldn't risk leaving my children orphans, so stopped crossing major roads by myself. 

I decided last week to try crossing Wisconsin where Willow intersects to see how it was.  I waited a full cycle of the traffic lights to ensure I understood the pattern and knew when I was supposed to cross.  I also, waited for a car to turn right on red before venturing out.  , As I reached the middle of the second lane, I heard brakes screeching and realized a truck I had not seen until then was almost on top of me.  It was apparently making a left and had not anticipated the slower speed I use to walk in unfamiliar territory or perhaps just didn't see me.  I jumped forward, he swerved, and again, I avoided the worst.  But, I was again reminded, that no matter what strategy I use to avoid one hazard, another exists when pedestrians and vehicles use the same space.   It would be of little help that I was crossing in the crosswalk at the correct time for pedestrians if I got hit by a truck.  Dodging light rail trains would pose a similar problem for me and people like me. 

My story is just one of many.  There are a significant percentage of people with disabilities of various descriptions who move around our community with or without support.  While you might think on paper or in theory that a light rail would be helpful and supported by people with disabilities as another source of transportation, the manner in which the functional plan implements the project actually presents an insurmountable obstacle to my mobility. Metro trains are good, as stations are uniform in design and tracks are underground or inaccessible to pedestrians to cross when above ground. 

The way the  Purple Line is being designed, the system and access will be separate and unique to itself. I have safer and easier access to transport to Silver Spring now by crossing the trail to access the J2 bus on East West Hwy.  I can get to the bus stop without ever crossing a street. The functional plan as it is now proposed will not provide an improvement in transportation options for me.   

I have looked around the county for another place which might give me similar safe access to the community, but have not found it.  Neighborhoods such as King Farm can provide access to a few stores, but are surrounded by busy roads which would confine me to a very limited space.

Please reconsider the changes you have made and don't force me to choose between independence and safety.     

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