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.