The Mayor and City Council expressed a desire for a protected pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Great Seneca Highway and Kentlands Boulevard to address concerns of pedestrian access and safety when crossing Great Seneca Highway (MD 119). In the last five years, pedestrian traffic has increased threefold at the intersection, and pedestrians have been struck by vehicles several times. To better ensure pedestrian and bicyclist crossing safety, the city worked out an agreement with MedImmune, LLC to provide funding of up to $4 million to support the design and construction of a pedestrian bridge at this location.

The city entered into contract with A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc. (AMT) for engineering services associated with development of a concept design for the bridge at Great Seneca and Kentlands Boulevard. AMT evaluated site constraints, analyzed several alternative design concepts and recommended a preferred concept at the Aug. 6 Mayor and City Council meeting.

The preferred design features a 200-foot prefabricated truss bridge. Access will be by stair and ramp. On the MedImmune side, a meandering ramp on the hill is proposed to lead up to the bridge. A ramp on the Kentlands Boulevard side is envisioned as a straight ramp with protective railing.

AMT advised that installation of the prefabricated bridge could be done overnight in eight to 10 hours. Construction of ramps would take longer. The design takes into account clearance necessary for the planned Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT).

Mayor and City Council expressed thoughts on aesthetics of the bridge, retention of the existing crosswalks at Great Seneca and Kentlands Boulevard, and safety from accelerating cyclists on pedestrian bridge ramps.