MDSHA Posting Flaggers at Silver Spring Temporary Crossing Where Child Nearly Hit by Car

Construction on pedestrian bridge expected to be complete in early November

Flaggers escort pedestrians across the temporary crosswalk on Piney Branch Road where a child was nearly struck by a vehicle earlier this week. Tom Hucker

Change is coming to a Silver Spring crosswalk where a child nearly being hit by a car was caught on camera last week.

Montgomery County Councilman Tom Hucker confirmed Friday morning that the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA) began posting flaggers at the crosswalk on Piney Branch Road near Sligo Creek Parkway in Silver Spring to help pedestrians and bicyclists cross the road safely.

The change comes amid a wave of public backlash after a dashcam video surfaced showing a family attempting to cross the road. As a child on a bicycle approached the crosswalk’s midpoint, a car in the right lane flew by, narrowly missing the child.

The YouTube video has been seen thousands of times and prompted dozens of people to contact MDSHA demanding a solution.

A Silver Spring resident himself, Hucker said he’s frustrated it has taken several near-misses at the crosswalk to draw the state’s attention, but he’s glad changes are being made.

“I hope the response to this video and to the danger at this intersection will spur some more action throughout the county on the part of the MDSHA,” Hucker said. “Pedestrian safety hasn’t been their priority at all, no matter how many times I’ve brought it up to them over the years. They really haven’t been responsive until now.”

The crosswalk is temporarily situated about a half-block from the actual intersection, due to ongoing construction of a pedestrian bridge. Despite formerly requesting the crosswalk be moved back to its original location, Hucker said the MDSHA refused, citing construction concerns near the intersection.

Along with flaggers, who will be posted at the crosswalk daily while work is being done, project leaders have authorized construction to continue on Saturdays, in the hopes of expediting the project’s completion to the first week of November.

Representatives with the MDSHA could not be reached for comment Friday morning.