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Pam Browning
Testimony
before the Planning Board
Testimony
Summarizing Hundreds of Emails
Sent to the Planning Board
July 26, 2007
My name is Pam Browning. Nine years ago I organized
the Petition Drive that gathered over 8,000 signatures that led the County Council
to open the Bethesda Tunnel under Wisconsin Ave - connecting the branches of
the Capital Crescent Trail.
During the Petition Drive, a boy was hit by a car crossing
at Wisconsin Avenue. It
was dangerous then to ride one’s bike on Bethesda Avenue and to cross Wisconsin
Avenue -- and it is even more dangerous now.
I am here today because I am concerned that Board staff are not aware of the
enormous opposition that exists to closing the Tunnel – opposition from
local residents and from trail users coming from far and wide.
In the past few days, more than one hundred emails have been sent to Board
staff. They represent the depth and breadth of feeling that trail users
have toward the Capital Crescent Trail and the importance of the safe connectivity
that the Tunnel provides.
I don’t know if you will have a chance to read all of the emails that
were sent, so I want to provide you with a glimpse of what they say. They
come from far and wide: Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Kensington,
Rockville, Burtonsville, Northwest and Southwest DC, Alexandria VA, and more.
As one trail user put it: “This is one local
issue on which I have a passionate position, since I use the trail almost daily.”
Dozens of emails came from individuals who commute on the Trail, some
from Silver Spring, some from Kensington – going to work in Bethesda and
some to DC, and one even to Rossyln, Virginia.
A half dozen emails indicated that they or their children use the tunnel to ride
to Westland Middle School. Others ride to BCC High School and Our Lady of Lourdes.
They noted that the Tunnel is teeming with activity -- filled with children on
bikes, mothers with baby carriages, many indicated that they would not be able
to take their daily or weekly excursions, many with small children, into Bethesda
without the Tunnel.
Some asked if staff could imagine the public safety hazard that would be created
with so many cyclists and walkers trying to cross Wisconsin Avenue on weekends
through a congested intersection known for drivers who ignore walk signs.
One wrote: “To close this safe passage for the sake of a parking garage
project (especially to facilitate cost savings for private developers) and have
that result in a serious injury or even death would be a terrible mistake.”
Another wrote “I was hit by a car biking on a road a year ago – having
access to the trail and the tunnel has enabled me to continue biking to DC and
Bethesda. If you close off that passage way, I will no longer bike.”
Another: “It would be a step back in planning to close the Tunnel.
Downtown Bethesda has become a haven for pedestrians and bicyclists because of
the access they have via the Tunnel.”
Another wrote, “The Capital Crescent Trail has been a triumph of thoughtful
use of magnificent community resources for the benefit of a substantial number
of people. Thousands of people use it for recreation, exercise, socialization
and commuting.
One runner wrote, “whenever I visit other cities, I think how lucky I am
to be able to lead such an active and healthy lifestyle – made possible
by the Tunnel and the Capital Crescent Trail.”
“The tunnel and the Capital Crescent/Georgetown Branch Trail itself are
enormous community assets, providing a safe, convenient, and environmentally
friendly urban green space for commuters, families, and recreational users from
Bethesda and far beyond. I urge you to require the developer to come up with
a plan that keeps the tunnel open for the duration of construction.”
From Southwest DC: “The Tunnel provides an important link between
the bicycle traffic north and south of the downtown Bethesda area. My wife and
I frequently use the tunnel as part of our weekend ride up from Southwest D.C.
We ride north through Rock Creek Park, then take the Capital Crescent Trail to
Bethesda, and down to Georgetown. With the tunnel closed, we would have to cross
Wisconsin Avenue in the heart of downtown Bethesda. Considering the number of
cyclists that use that part of the trail on the weekends, crossing a busy Wisconsin
Avenue will add an unnecessarily stressful and dangerous stage to a peaceful
ride.”
And from Alexandria, VA: “I am writing to express
my very strong opposition to the closing of the Tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue.
My family and many friends and riding companions use it often to ride our bicycles
to Bethesda from our homes in Alexandria VA, Springfield VA and elsewhere in
the DC Metro Area. It would not be safe or enjoyable to do this without the Tunnel,
nor would it provide a safe link to other parts of the county,”
“I am a Kensington resident and long-time runner. On my weekend runs
I frequently use the Bethesda Tunnel and have first hand knowledge of how important
it is to runners, walkers, and bikers. Since it opened 8-9 years ago, it
has increased my enjoyment of my Crescent Trail runs and, more importantly, increased
safety for the thousands (I assume; have studies documented the actual count?)
of us who use the Trail weekly and who would other otherwise face the prospect
of having to negotiate Wisconsin Avenue crossings. I would have particular
concern for the many young children I see on bicycles. There has to be
a better approach to building the garage than closing the tunnel to trail uses. Thank
you for your thoughtful consideration of the issues involved here.”
“The tunnel is especially important to help counter the impact of
the increasing density of the Bethesda area”.
“Please think about the quality of life in Montgomery County, not the number
of cars we can park and the offices we can build”.
“As a father of 3 children under 9 years it is a huge relief to not have
to worry about them crossing Wisconsin Ave. when we go to Town for family outings.”
“The Capital Crescent Trail is a treasure that should be preserved for
all to enjoy.”
“If you don’t keep the Tunnel open hundreds of walkers and bikers
will be in peril as they try to dash across a major artery where drivers don’t
even obey the “walk” signs.”
“Please do not take this safe passage away”.
“By closing the Tunnel you will require people to rely more on cars.”
“You have an opportunity to do the right thing and make strides towards
urban harmony instead of further dissection of the land and displacement of the
users of that land and its amenities, additionally you have an opportunity to
stand up to big business and the money people and force them to create, submit
and implement the proper plan instead of pushing their own agenda as they usually
are allowed to do.”
“I'm also a member of the CCT club. And as you are probably aware our
club and the Town of Chevy Chase each donated $11,500 this Spring to the
Bethesda Urban Partnership for the construction of a fence in the east end
of the Bethesda Tunnel. The new fence now blocks vandals from covering the
tunnel walls with graffiti. The tunnel is a safe and enjoyable passage for
those wanting to cross Wisconsin Ave. My family, neighbors and fellow club
members hope you consider this before the tunnel is closed for the next two
years.”
“If anything, we should be looking for ways to increase recreational activities
and alternative methods of transportation, as opposed to closing them. The
tunnel allows me and countless others to commute to DC each day by bicycle. Closing
it does residents a disservice.”
“Before approving this I hope you consider, among other things, the impact
on the volume of pedestrians crossing Wisconsin Avenue in busy downtown Bethesda,
especially during periods of heavy use. I am a very frequent user of the Trail
and the Tunnel, and on a nice weekend day I'm sure there are thousands of people
who use the Tunnel -- runners, walkers, some pushing baby strollers, many walking
dogs. Bikers too, sometimes in large groups trying to maintain a rapid pace.
If the Tunnel
is closed, all of these people, animals, and equipment will be detoured to crossing
Wisconsin Avenue. Many, especially those on a training run/ride, are going to
be trying to cross as quickly as possible. The real-life safety of such a detour
must be very carefully evaluated.”
“I am always amazed at the number of cyclists I see commuting to work in
the morning in this area, not to mention the number of families I see taking
their kids out to enjoy a walk or bike ride in the evenings and on the weekends.
The network of multi-use trails throughout Montgomery county is an important
contributing factor to the active lifestyle of Montgomery county's residents.”
“Let us continue to be a progressive community and continue to provide
resources to our residents that allow them to maintain a healthy, active, and
progressive lifestyle.”
“Without the Tunnel, we would end up just driving over to Bethesda, which
would only add to the traffic and congestion that already exists in this area.”
“We have heard distressing news that the Capital Crescent Trail tunnel
under Wisconsin Ave may be closed. We use this trail on a daily basis, my husband
cycles to work every day and I use the trail (located just two blocks from our
house) to take our two young children (ages 3 and 1) to the downtown Bethesda
library and shops. We would be greatly disappointed and inconvenienced with the
closing of the tunnel.”
“The trail gives respite to those who are helping to alleviate traffic
congestion by taking their bikes (or walking) to access downtown Bethesda.”
“As a county that espouses to promote smart growth, we need to promote
these alternative ways of accessing commercial and residential centers. Please
do not let a developer block this important thorough fare, temporarily or permanently.”
“My family runs and bikes weekly on the trail from our home in Chevy Chase.
It would not be safe or enjoyable to do this without the Tunnel. While running
through the tunnel I notice other people/families running, biking, walking to
dinner or the movies and commuting to work. If the tunnel were to close, all
of this foot traffic would add to the already congested intersection on Wisconsin
Avenue.”
One individual wrote that he uses the Tunnel and trail, running 1-2 times a day
to maintain his weight and curb a serious heart condition. “The Trail
is a healthy, soothing environment – which is not true of running on busy
roads.”
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