Cary Lamari, candidate for County Council, at-large seat
In favor of tunnel

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Website: http://www.carylamari.net/

"Several years ago maybe a decade now, I was Chair of the Capital Projects committee for the Mid County Citizens Advisory Board. At that time a member of your community I believe her name was Judy Cairns expressed a need for a pedestrian walkway over the beltway ramps and along the underpass of Georgia Avenue to connect the Forest Glen community with the Montgomery Hills Commercial shopping area to make Georgia Avenue more pedestrian friendly. Judy and I took the lead to get that project included and funded on the CIP and built. I have spoken to Natalie Cantor, She has received a cost analysis of this particular project. She indicated to me it is a 11 million dollar project, that requires cooperation from the State Highway, Metro and the County. Natalie has also indicated the Mid County Advisory Board did include this as a priority Project to be included in the CIP in 2003, This Year will be the next opportunity for your community with the Mid County Citizens Advisory Board to be able to Chime in again. This is the first I have heard of this needed underpass at Forest Glen.  Natalie is doing what she can to promote this project,but it still requires dedication and diligence on your part to work within the system to get important projects like this pushed Though, and I will if elected make sure this project goes forward as fast as possible. I wish I knew that two children were hurt at that intersection when I was President of the Montgomery County Civic Federation. I know the Federation is always concerned with pedestrian safety.... I believe it takes Community Participation to make things happen. I pledge my support for this project and will do what I can Elected or not."

The following is traffic accident data from the intersection of Forest Glen Road and Georgia Avenue, excerpted from an email sent to us from a traffic analyst in the Montgomery County Police Department.

We should remember that this data represents real people and real tragedies.

Our aim is the construction of a pedestrian tunnel beneath Georgia Avenue at Forest Glen Road, linking the eastern side of Georgia Avenue to the Forest Glen Metrorail station on the west.
 
In May 2006, the Montgomery County Planning Board determined that this is the most congested intersection in the entire county.  Residents who commute by Metro are forced to risk their lives every time they cross this intersection.  Metro users going to or from Holy Cross Hospital are also vulnerable.
 
On April 28, two children – aged two and five – became the latest pedestrian victims at this dangerous intersection.  We don’t want our children be next.
 
Over the past three years, the Forest Estates Community Association has coordinated with nearby neighborhood associations to address this issue.  In the fall of 2003, we formally informed Natalie Cantor, director of the Mid-County Services Center, that our coalition had adopted the tunnel as one of our major priorities.  Joining us were the Northmont Citizens Association, the Forest Glen Citizens Association, the Americana Finnmark Condo Association, the Woodside Homeowners Association, the Forest Grove Citizens Association, as well as members of Wheaton Haven and the McKenney Hills Civic Association.
 
Also in 2003, Richard Lutz (then FECA’s president) testified on the importance of a tunnel at the 2003 Priorities Hearing held by the Montgomery County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly.
 
Fortunately, we have received enthusiastic support from the District 18 delegation, especially from Delegate Rich Madaleno.  Due to such support, WMATA has already done a feasibility study (PDF), which shows that the tunnel can be completed at a reasonable cost to the state. 

Even the owner of the private property that would have to be appropriated for a tunnel entrance has expressed his full support for the project! Holy Cross Hospital has also expressed support for a pedestrian tunnel.

However, the tunnel will not be built unless the County Council adopts it as one of its transportation priorities. This is where we stand.

There are many ways you can help us make the Georgia Avenue / Forest Glen Road intersection safer.

#1) Contact local politicians 

It's an election year. A lot of people are running for only a few seats on the Montgomery County Council. Let the candidates know that you are tracking this issue and that your vote depends on it. Many incumbents have tried to side-step the issue - demand that they take a stance on the pedestrian tunnel.

Find out how our local politicians and candidates feel about a pedestrian tunnel

#2) Sign our petition

This electronic petition will be used to show our representatives that we are behind this effort 100% - sign it now! 

#3) Pass out fliers

 Download and print out this flier (PDF) and distribute it among neighbors and metro riders.

Pedetrians struggle to cross the Georgia Ave / Forest Glen Rd. intersection without getting hit by cars making turns.