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'Protected intersection' coming to Silver Spring to improve safety

It will be at Spring Street and Second Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. It's currently under construction, but will include several safety features.
Credit: MCDTE
The first protected intersection is coming to the East Coast...in Silver Spring, Maryland.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The first "protected intersection" is coming to the East Coast, starting in Montgomery County, Maryland.

It will be at Spring Street and Second Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. It's currently under construction, but will include several safety features. 

The Montgomery County Division on Transportation Engineering took to Twitter to explain how it will work. 

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The primary goal is to make the roads safer from pedestrians and cyclists. 

The first major element is the corner island. The second major element is the advanced stop line for bikes. The third major element are the set-back crossings. 

According to officials, the corner islands's goal is to slow down drivers turning right. The tightened radius is meant to cause drivers to turn very slowly. A raised apron allows larger vehicles to turn by mounting it if necessary. Speed is the critical factor in crash survivability.

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It will also improve visibility. 

The Twitter thread details the changes coming to the intersection to make it safer for commuters. 

The next step is milling and paving, which will start on or about August 11. 

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