Norfolk Avenue Shared Street Planning Study

Norfolk Avenue is a lively street with a mix of uses in the Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda. In the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan, the master plan called for converting Norfolk Avenue into a “shared street”, which would be a space shared by all users without curbs. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians would all use the same space and traffic calming techniques would be used to make the street welcoming for all users.

During the pandemic, and continuing today, a portion of Norfolk Avenue was closed to vehicle traffic to enable the placement of tables, chairs, and other furniture within the roadway to create a “streetery”. This temporary space is being operated and maintained by the Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP). BUP is currently working on plans to enhance and expand the temporary streetery in the near term.

The MCDOT project is looking to the future, beyond the next few years. With capital funding, what should Norfolk Avenue look like? Perhaps it will look much the same as it does today with the streetery. Or perhaps we can consider other permanent changes, such as removing the curbs, revising the paving types, or adding other treatments to enhance the public experience.

Based on community feedback received at our March 2023 meeting, we have developed a preliminary concept that we will present to the community at a meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 6:30 PM. This in-person workshop will be held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center and we hope you can join us.