A major pedestrian safety project in Olde Towne Gaithersburg is set to move forward after federal lawmakers secured $1 million in funding for infrastructure improvements in and around the historic district.
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, Senator Angela Alsobrooks, Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, and other local officials recently highlighted the federal investment, which was secured through Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending.
The funding will support a series of upgrades designed to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, students, and families throughout the area. Planned improvements include traffic calming measures, intersection safety enhancements, new and upgraded crosswalks, and additional sidewalks along several residential streets in the Deer Park neighborhood.
A significant focus of the project will be improving routes that provide access to Gaithersburg Elementary School, Gaithersburg Middle School, and Gaithersburg High School. “It is important for our streets to meet the safety needs not only of drivers, but also of pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders,” Van Hollen said. “This federal funding will help the City of Gaithersburg meet that goal, supporting their plan to improve walkability in Olde Towne and making it safer for students and families going to and from school and work.”
Congresswoman McClain Delaney said securing the funding was part of her effort to bring federal tax dollars back to communities in Maryland. “One of my top priorities is bringing federal tax dollars home to the people I serve,” McClain Delaney said. “This investment will help keep students, families, and seniors safe while strengthening our community for years to come.”
Alsobrooks emphasized the importance of investing in public infrastructure that allows residents to safely gather and move throughout their communities. “Our communities are best when people can come together, be outside, and connect safely,” Alsobrooks said. “That is why it is so critical that we invest in our infrastructure, especially our pedestrian infrastructure.”
Mayor Ashman thanked Maryland’s congressional delegation for helping secure the funding and said the project aligns with the city’s goal of making Olde Towne safer and more accessible. “Enhancing safety and accessibility for everyone, especially our students, who walks, bikes, studies, or lives in this community is one of our highest priorities,” Ashman said. “This funding will allow us to accelerate improvements that make our streets safer and more welcoming.”
City officials say the project will create safer walkways, reduce traffic-related hazards, and promote a more walkable environment for residents and visitors alike.
