Go back to the Safety Report Table of Contents.

Top left: Lack of sidewalks or paved shoulders pushes pedestrian & bike traffic into car travel lanes. Photo near laundromat and 7-11. Top right: The bridge over the Northwest Branch Trail has a sidewalk on the downstream side going into Brentwood. Most foot traffic stays on this side of the road (see next photo) all the way to Hamilton St. Bottom right: View from the bridge - Welcome to Hyattsville, "Land of No Sidewalks." Note worn path weaving between poorly placed signs and utility poles and no sidewalk. Northwest Branch Trail crossing is the painted crosswalk in the background.

SITE DESCRIPTION

38th Ave is a narrow, heavily trafficked Maryland State Route that links Hyattsville's Hamilton Ave. and Jefferson St. with US Route 1 thru Brentwood to Colmar Manor (north-south trending travel). 38th from the Northwest Branch bridge up to Hamilton. what?

The road lacks paved shoulders and has no sidewalk facilities except for a small section on the bridge across the Northwest Branch on the downstream side. Because of the location of the bridge's sidewalk and the limited shoulder on the west side, most pedestrian traffic is limited to the east side of 38th (see worn footpath in photos).

The roadway is heavily used by pedestrians & bicyclists who compete for narrow, shared travel lanes with a high volume of automobiles. Some of these autos are using 38th as a "shortcut" route between Queens Chapel and Rhode Island Ave. (US 1). This neighborhood street is functioning as a minor arterial / collector street. The street might qualify for "traffic calming" due to the lane widths and travel volumes.

While Hyattsville's portion of 38th Ave. lacks sidewalks, the portion south in Brentwood does have sidewalk facilities on both edges of the roadway. The paved roadway is 25 feet wide (12 foot travel lanes).

RECOMMENDATIONS:

At a minimum:

• Add a 6-foot sidewalk on the east side? of 38th from the bridge to the intersection with Hamilton (Laundromat and 7-11 store). This would separate slower pedestrian traffic from faster bike and car traffic on 38th Ave and reduce competition for scarce room in the travel lanes. This route is heavily used by pedestrians but does not have adequate facilities for the current level of use. There are several fences and trees on this side that directly abut the curb. The west side of 38th has sidewalks by the 7-11 but stops by the apartment building. North of Hamilton, there is a 1 block section leading up to Jefferson that also needs sidewalks (see photo).
• Complications: There may or may not be existing SHA right-of-way to accommodate sidewalk(s). It may require State highway to acquire right-of-way.
  

Large scale:

Add dual (what are these?) bike lanes would be great, but doesn’t seem like a feasible thing due to the narrow right of way. Might couple 6 foot sidewalk with paved 2.5 foot striped shoulders on east and west sides of 38th.

Alleys:
Add lighting for Gaines Alley (no longer really an alley since being widely paved)
Adding lighting to the alley behind 7-11

38th &and Jefferson Street Curve

SITE DESCRIPTION:
Stretches west from Jefferson & Nicholson St. junction with 40th Avenue (and proposed bike/ped boulevard) along Jefferson until it rounds a corner heading south and becoming 38th Street. Currently the area is a 'gap" in the city's sidewalk system. There are no extant sidewalks, but there are clear footpaths beaten into the ground.

SIDEWALK REPAVING PRIORITY:
MODERATE (adjacent streets are not slated for re-pavement until construction years 08 and 09).

CURRENT SIDEWALK STATUS:
There are none! However, muddy footpaths are abundant.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Replace footpaths with 6 foot sidewalks if right-of-ways permit at all locales where feasible Increased lighting Impacts Ward 1

JURISDICTIONS:
38th Street - City of& HyattsvilleOglethorp
Jefferson Street - City ofQueensburry HyattsvilleRd.

JURISDICTIONS: Maryland State Highway Administration, "SHA" (38th Ave -south of Hamilton - is Rte. 208), MNCPPC "Park & Planning" (NW Branch Trail), Army Corps of Engineers (if the bridge/stream is involved).
Wards - This road is contained in or borders on Hyattsville Wards 1 & 5


HISTORY:

Recently, the City Administrator met with SHA who discussed a possible joint project to complete the sidewalk from Hamilton to the Northwest Branch along 38th. This could require some City funding. Elaine is City POC. Would be helpful for our Committee to move this forward.

ACCIDENTS:

According to Maryland State Highway Administration, from 2001 to 2005, within 0.2 mile of intersection:

Primary authors: Cynthia Way and Nathaniel V. Kelso