Carroll Avenue Separated Bicycle Lanes
Montgomery County Department of Transportation
Project Background
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is considering alignment options for creating a separated bicycle lane on Carroll Avenue in Silver Spring, from Merrimac Drive to Piney Branch Road. This bike lane will act as a key connection for future users of the Purple Line's Piney Branch Station and is identified as part of the approved bicycle network in the Montgomery County Bicycle Master Plan.
The proposed improvements will incorporate elements that are mindful and in balance with the vehicular needs of the corridor, the residential setting of the neighborhood, and the upcoming Purple Line along University Boulevard. These improvements aim to provide adequate conditions for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities along this section of Carroll Avenue.
Please review the alternatives that are being considered and provide input to help us understand your preferences for how these improvements can be incorporated into Carroll Avenue and your community.
Thank you for your time and participation!
Current Conditions and Considerations
While designing this new bicycle facility, we have taken stock of what the existing environment has to offer in terms of constraints, assets, and opportunities. These factors were taken into consideration when developing the alternative alignments that are presented later in this story map. Take a tour on the maps below to see the study area's existing conditions:
Asset: Existing Bike Lane
The existing bike lane on Carroll Ave, south of Merrimac Rd, provides bicycling connectivity in the southbound direction
Asset: Service Road
The Carroll Ave Service Road provides a bicycling connection in the northbound direction on Carroll Avenue just south of the study area
Opportunity: Ample Right of Way
The section of Carroll Ave between Merrimac Dr and University Blvd currently has a wide enough roadway to allow for the addition of a bike lane with a sidewalk or a shared-use pathway.
Opportunity: Convert Channelized Right Turn Lane
Channelized right turn lane can be repurposed for green space and wider pedestrian areas
Constraint: Purple Line Considerations
Future Purple Line tracks along University Blvd will impact bicyclists' shortest travel path along Carroll Ave
Constraint: Driveways
Numerous driveways along the study area present conflict points for bicyclists and pedestrians
Constraint: Perpendicular Parking
Perpendicular parking on the west side of Carroll Ave prevents the installation of a protected bicycle facility
Asset: On-Street Parking
On-street parking can provide an additional buffer between vehicular traffic and bicyclists.
Asset: Median Removal
The wide section of roadway coupled with the removal of the median would create enough right-of-way to accommodate a protected bicycle lane
Constraint: Roadway Narrows
Roadway expansion will be required to accommodate proposed facilities while maintaining on-street parking on both sides of the street
Constraint: Overhead Utilities
Overhead utilities will require relocation for any facility behind existing curbline
Constraint: Ride-On Stop
Access to the MCDOT Ride-On Bus stop must be preserved
Opportunity: Right Turn Lane
The right turn lane on Carroll Ave at Piney Branch Rd can be repurposed to accommodate the proposed bicycle facility.
Constraint: Topography
Existing topography limits the possibility of roadway or intersection widening or the implementation of an off-road facility
Facility Types
3 Possible Alternatives
Montgomery County is considering three possible alternatives for the new bike facility on Carroll Avenue. Please tour the maps in this section to see the alignments for Alternative A, Alternative B, and Alternative C.
Alternative A: Cycle Track + On-Street Parking on Southbound Lane (north of 11th Avenue)
- One-way cycle track south of University Blvd with new sidewalk on the northbound lane
- Angled Purple Line track crossing to prevent bicyclist falls
- Existing median removal north of University Blvd to accommodate two-way cycle track on the east side of the roadway from University Blvd to Piney Branch Rd
- On-street parking only on the west side of the street north of 11th Avenue, no parking on the east side of the street
Connecting to the Bikeway
Northbound bicyclists will connect from the service road to the cycle track at the southern end of the intersection of Merrimac Drive
Connecting to the Bikeway
Southbound bicyclists will connect to an existing bike lane on MD 195.
Wide, Buffered Cycle Track
5' wide one-way cycle track with a 2' buffer marking
Wide, Buffered Cycle Track
5' wide one-way cycle track with a 2' buffer marking
New Sidewalk
A new sidewalk will be installed, along with the cycle track
Right Turn Removed
The current right turn lane will be closed and replaced with green space. Right turns from Carroll Avenue will now take place at Merrimac Drive.
Angled Rail Crossing
The bike paths on both sides of Carroll Avenue will be angled to prevent cyclists from falling on the tracks of the Purple Line.
Bike Box
The bike box will give southbound bicyclists a safe place to queue up during the red light phases.
Two-Way Cycle Track
North of University Boulevard, there will be a two-way cycle track on the east side of Carroll Avenue up to Piney Branch Road. This cycle track will be 10' wide with a 4' buffer.
Curb Extension
The curb will be extended to create a larger waiting platform for pedestrians waiting to cross Carroll Avenue, as well as shortening the crossing and making it safer.
On-Street Parking
On-street parking will provide an additional barrier between vehicular traffic and southbound bicyclists.
Pavement Markings
Pavement markings at intersections and junction points will help alert drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians of potential conflicts with other road users.
On-Street Parking
North of 11th Avenue, on-street parking is on the west side of Carroll Avenue
Two-Way Cycle Track
North of 11th Avenue, the Cycle track remains 10' wide with a 4' buffer, but with no street parking
Sidewalk and Grass Remain
The existing sidewalk and grass strip on the east side of Carroll Avenue will remain unimpacted
Transit Access
Transit access will be maintained and stops will be located on the sidewalk, behind the curb line. Transit riders will have to cross the cycle track to board and alight from the bus.
Network Connections
The Carroll Avenue Separated Bike Lanes will connect to planned facilities on Piney Branch Road.
Current/Proposed
Use the sliders below to toggle between the current condition on Carroll Avenue and the proposed design of Alternative A:
Looking north on Carroll Avenue at Merrimac Drive
Looking north on Carroll Avenue between Osage Street and 11th Avenue
Looking north on Carroll Avenue from south of the main entrance of the New Hampshire Estates Elementary School Parking Lot
Alternative B: Cycle Track with On-Street Parking on the Northbound Lane (north of 11th Ave)
- One-way cycle track south of University Blvd with a new sidewalk on the northbound lane
- Angled Purple Line track crossings to prevent bicyclist falls
- Existing median removal, north of University Blvd to accommodate a two-way cycle track on the east side of Carroll Ave up to Piney Branch Rd
- Existing sidewalk and driveway accesses to remain
- On-street parking only on northbound lane north of 11th Ave - no parking on the southbound lane
Connecting to the Bikeway
Northbound bicyclists will connect from the service road to the cycle track at the southern end of the intersection of Merrimac Drive
Connecting to the Bikeway
Southbound bicyclists will connect to an existing bike lane on MD 195.
Wide, Buffered Cycle Track
5' wide one-way cycle track with a 2' buffer marking
Wide, Buffered Cycle Track
5' wide one-way cycle track with a 2' buffer marking
New Sidewalk
A new sidewalk will be installed, along with the cycle track
Right Turn Removed
The current right turn lane will be closed and replaced with green space. Right turns from Carroll Avenue will now take place at Merrimac Drive.
Angled Rail Crossing
The bike paths on both sides of Carroll Avenue will be angled to prevent cyclists from falling on the tracks of the Purple Line.
Bike Box
The bike box will give southbound bicyclists a safe place to queue up during the red light phases.
Two-Way Cycle Track
North of University Boulevard, there will be a two-way cycle track on the east side of Carroll Avenue up to Piney Branch Road. This cycle track will be 10' wide with a 4' buffer.
Curb Extension
The curb will be extended to create a larger waiting platform for pedestrians waiting to cross Carroll Avenue, as well as shortening the crossing and making it safer.
On-Street Parking
On-street parking will provide an additional barrier between vehicular traffic and southbound bicyclists.
Pavement Markings
Pavement markings at intersections and junction points will help alert drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians of potential conflicts with other road users.
Sidewalk Reconstruction
The sidewalk on the west side of Carroll Ave north of University Blvd will be reconstructed
Parking Buffer Continued
North of 11th Avenue, the Cycle track remains 10' wide with a 4' buffer, and is continued to be buffered from the travel lane by on-street parking.
Sidewalk and Grass Remain
The existing sidewalk and grass strip on the east side of Carroll Avenue will remain unimpacted
Two-Way Cycle Track
The northern section of the facility is a 10', two-way cycle track with a 2' buffer and a parking lane between the buffer and traffic
Transit Access
Transit access will be maintained and stops will be located on the sidewalk, behind the curb line. Transit riders will have to cross the cycle track to board and alight from the bus.
Network Connections
The Carroll Avenue Separated Bike Lanes will connect to planned facilities on Piney Branch Road.
Current/Proposed
Use the sliders below to toggle between the current condition on Carroll Avenue and the proposed design of Alternative B:
Looking north on Carroll Avenue at Merrimac Drive
Looking north on Carroll Avenue between Osage Street and 11th Avenue
Looking north on Carroll Avenue from south of the main entrance of the New Hampshire Estates Elementary School Parking Lot
Alternative C: Shared-Use Path - On-Street Parking on the northbound lane of Carroll Ave
- Shared-use path installed on the east side of Carroll Ave south of University Blvd
- Angled Purple Line track crossing create a safer crossing for bicyclists
- The existing median and sidewalk will be removed to install the shared-use path north of University Blvd to Piney Branch Rd
- All existing driveway accesses would remain
- On-street parking only on the northbound lane north of 11th Ave- Parking on the southbound lane will only be in front of New Hampshire Estates Elementary School
Southbound Connection
Bicyclists connect to a bike lane on MD 195
Northbound Connection
Bicyclists can connect from the service road to the shared-use path at the intersection
Shared-Use Path with Grass Buffer
The 10' wide shared-use path will have a grass buffer to protect pedestrians and bicyclists from traffic.
Right Turn Lane Removed
The right turn at University Blvd will be removed, right turns will be made at Merrimac Dr.
Crossing the Purple Line
The shared crosswalk traversing the purple line will be at a right angle to the tracks, preventing bicyclists from falling and to allow all users clear sight lines.
On-Street Parking Buffer
The shared-use path will be buffered by an on-street parking lane north of University Blvd.
Shared-Use Path with Grass Buffer
The existing sidewalk and grass will be replaced with a 10' shared-use path and a 4' grass buffer. The installation will be towards the roadway, avoiding impacts to residential properties.
Curb Extension
A curb extension will be provided to grant pedestrians a place to wait to cross the street, give pedestrians a shorter crossing, and slow drivers through the intersection.
New Sidewalk and Parking
A new sidewalk and on-street parking will be added in front of New Hampshire Estates Elementary School.
West Side Street Parking Ends
There is no street parking on the west side of Carroll Ave beyond New Hampshire Estates Elementary School
Access to Transit
Current access to transit will be maintained. A user waiting area is provided adjacent to the shared-use path.
Future Connections
The shared-use path will connect will future Piney Branch Road facilities.
Current/Proposed
Use the sliders below to toggle between the current condition on Carroll Avenue and the proposed design of Alternative C:
Looking north on Carroll Avenue at Merrimac Drive
Looking north on Carroll Avenue between Osage Street and 11th Avenue
Looking north on Carroll Avenue from south of the main entrance of the New Hampshire Estates Elementary School Parking Lot
Alternative Comparison Matrix
Use the matrix below to compare each option as it relates to the project development impacts and the level of interaction between travel modes provided:
Let Us Know What You Think!
Please use the survey below to help the project team know which alternative you would prefer:
Carroll Ave SBL Alignment Question