I disagree with Les Slaback who suggested that both the humpback bridge across the CSX tracks near Washington Grove and the grade crossing from Railroad Street to Oakmont Avenue be closed ("Address questions on bridge," June 8 letter).
As a resident of the Washington Grove Lane corridor, I am concerned that access from Washington Grove Lane to Shady Grove Road through Railroad and Oakmont stay open. This route is a vital alternative to Midcounty Highway. The bridge and the crossing are also the only two links between the Washington Grove Lane corridor and Washington Grove Elementary School, its designated elementary school. Since the school is also the neighborhood's polling place, closing the bridge and the grade crossing could effectively disenfranchise residents of this area.
Mr. Slaback believes that traffic that uses Oakmont to get to Shady Grove can use Washington Grove Lane and Midcounty Highway to get to or from Shady Grove. That would exacerbate traffic jams on these roads whenever there's a problem on Shady Grove, Midcounty or Washington Grove Lane. The resulting overflow might end up using Amity and Epsilon Drives to get to or from Shady Grove. That will create problems for the families who live along those streets.
In short, the humpback bridge and the crossing should be upgraded to improve public safety, but access to Shady Grove through Railroad and Oakmont should not be cut off. It is vital for everyone who lives in this area (including Washington Grove residents) to keep all of our access routes to Shady Grove Road open.
Ralph L. Landy, Gaithersburg
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