This was on the agenda at the Hearing on September 22 in Upper Marlboro. Homeowners living on Montpelier Drive received a notice from concerned neighbors at 8317 Montpelier. This proposed change is due to be implemented within the next 3 years is we don’t oppose it.

Our only recourse at this time appears to be a letter-writing campaign – no e-mail, no fax, no phone calls. These letters must be in the hands of the county by October 7th – two weeks after the hearing.

As a member of the community who resides on Montpelier Drive and rants often about the amount and the speed of the traffic on the street, I am vehemently opposed to this for the following reasons:

1. The increase in the traffic. Currently there are 100s of cars/trucks/school buses that drive on Montpelier every day – the increase from opening up the street to Murkirk would only exacerbate this.

2. The rate of speed. Only about 10% of the current traffic abide by the 25 mph speed limit. Cars have come barreling down the street at nearly 100 mph and 45 seems to be about the average speed. In fact, when PG county police conduct speed traps, they only stop cars traveling faster than 40 mph because they can’t keep up with the volume of tickets that could be written.

3. Safety and welfare of the population. Montpelier Drive is a prime walking, running, and biking route for the neighborhood. People get their exercise and walk their dogs along the street. Currently it is near impossible to cross the street at peak traffic hours.

Anyone living on Montpelier can attest to the level of traffic noise – sleeping past 6 am is a luxury that isn’t even an option on weekends.

Please, please, please support your community members who live on Montpelier by participating in a letter-writing campaign in opposition to Montpelier Drive being turning into a “collector facility”. This will only serve as a detriment to our community!

Thank you,

Marcia Segura