The total project is comprised of 2 phases. Phase I, completed in FY22, includes a 4,200' segment of Oak Drive and a 350' segment of Kingstead Road. Phase I provided a 5' concrete sidewalk with green buffer along the west side of Oak Drive from its southern intersection with MD 27 to the John T. Baker Middle School. A 5' sidewalk is also provided along the south side of Kingstead Road from Oak Drive to the John Haines park. Phase II will include a 2,300' segment of MD 27 (Ridge Road) starting at the northern intersection with Oak Drive and ending at the existing sidewalk at Damascus High School. The project will construct 82' of retaining wall in Phase II. Phase III will include a 2,500' segment of MD 27 (Ridge Road) starting at the southern intersection with Oak Drive and ending at the existing sidewalk at Ridge Landing Place. The project will construct 2,000' of retaining wall in Phase III.

Phase I was started in FY19 and was completed in FY22. Phases II and III final design will be completed in FY27. Land acquisition for Phase II in FY27. Construction for Phase II in FY28. Planning, design and supervision, utilities, and construction for Phase III are scheduled beyond six years.

Cost increase is due to increased costs and escalation for Phase III.

The project is needed to address the lack of continuous and safe pedestrian access to existing sidewalks and bikeways, transit stops, commercial areas, and community and public facilities in the Damascus area. The 2006 Damascus Master Plan and 2018 Countywide Bikeways Master Plan recommends sidewalk in the project area.

The project will help the County achieve its Vision Zero goals to reduce deaths and serious injuries on County roadways to zero by 2030.

State Aid reflects state grants for capital projects in Montgomery County programmed during the 2022 State General Assembly Session.

A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project. The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.

Department of Permitting Services, Department of Environmental Protection, State Highway Administration, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Potomac Edison, Washington Gas, WSSC Water, Verizon