Sidewalks Still Blocked After A Month

The Blizzard of 2016 struck Montgomery County, Maryland, on January 23.  On February 26, the snow had long since melted almost everywhere.  Except for where snowplows clearing roads had piled it high on the sidewalks and corner curb ramps.  After more than a month, there are still places where pedestrians find sidewalks blocked.




On Old Georgetown Road, snow piled on the sidewalk after the January 23 storm still forms a barrier on February 26.





On Montgomery Avenue, snow piled at the corner after the January 23 storm still blocks a curb ramp on February 26.

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For those who missed it, here is my report on snow blocking sidewalks on February 7, two weeks after the blizzard:

When the sidewalks and curb ramps are the official snow storage areas for snowplows, you have a system designed to fail.

Another ped button beyond reach from the sidewalk

This pedestrian button is by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Perils For Pedestrians 222

• We talk with a consultant in Santa Monica about walkable Main Streets.
• We talk with the Chief of Engineering for the County of Kauai about Complete Streets.
• We attend the opening of the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station, where we meet the Virginia Governor and the United States Secretary of Transportation.
• We check out conditions at the five new Silver Line Metrorail Stations.

Perils For Pedestrians 221: Hawaii 3

• We talk with the executive director of the Hawaii Bicycling League.
• We talk with an experienced cyclist about cyclists and traffic.

Perils For Pedestrians 220: Hawaii 2

• We talk with the Department of Transportation Services about Complete Streets.
• We learn why the Department of Health wants to make Hawaii more walkable.
• AARP wants to make Hawaii friendlier and less dangerous for elderly pedestrians.
• We climb the trail to the World War 2 observation posts on Diamond Head.

Perils For Pedestrians 219: Hawaii 1

• We learn about Kauai Path, a trails organization on the Island of Kauai.
• Kauai Path does education and outreach in addition to building trails.
• We meet one of the founder of the Red Hot Ladies bicycling group in Honolulu.

Perils For Pedestrians 218: New Zealand 3

• We look at pedestrian advocacy in New Zealand.
• A pedestrian and bicycle path is going to be added to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
• We learn about a new tool to select the best type of pedestrian crossing.
• We drop in on the Auckland Marathon.
• We hike along the Coast to Coast Walkway in Auckland.

Perils For Pedestrians 217: New Zealand 2

• We look at how engineering education addresses pedestrian issues.
• We talk with the Mayor of Wellington about pedestrians.
• We learn about challenges for people with disabilities in New Zealand.
• We hike to the traditional "Centre of New Zealand" in Nelson.

Sidewalk Snow Fail

A full two weeks after the blizzard ended here in Maryland, the snow is almost all gone.  EXCEPT for where the snowplows piled it up onto sidewalks.  It's a system designed for failure.