Council authorizes design contract for Old Town and South Summit safety improvements

The Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council voted Dec. 1 to authorize the city manager to negotiate and enter a professional services contract for engineering design of a traffic signal and associated pedestrian safety improvements at Old Town Avenue and South Summit Avenue.

Staff presented an exhibit and a previous 2023 study that recommended a package of improvements: installing a new traffic signal at the intersection; curb tightening to shorten crossing distances; removal of a mid‑block rectangular rapid flashing beacon and adding crosswalks before and after the CSX railroad tracks; updated crosswalks and handicap ramps on both sides of the road; a new signal mast and pedestrian phases allowing dedicated pedestrian crossing times; potential closure of a city‑lot access driveway to increase sidewalk queuing; additional stop bars; and possible one‑way restrictions on Wells Avenue to reduce turning movements near the tracks.

The RFP (No. RFP 2026‑012) was advertised Oct. 1–29, 2025. Three proposals were received; staff reported Wallace Montgomery & Associates LLP as the highest‑scoring vendor and recommended negotiating with that firm. Council member comments supported the design step as part of a Safe Routes to School corridor improvement and asked staff to coordinate signal timing with county interconnect systems.

The council voted to authorize negotiation and award of the design contract; staff will return with negotiated terms for final approval.

Ending: The city will proceed with design work and analysis; staff said the design will coordinate signal timing with county systems and further evaluate driveway closure and traffic impacts before implementing construction.