Rockville Residents Split on Mower Lane Proposals

Those who regularly travel Norbeck Road and Gude Drive have the chance to shape safety improvements coming to the Rockville roadways.

Tuesday night, those supporting the proposed separated riding mower lanes and those against them agreed that there is room for improvement.

“Right now, these roads are super unsafe for all of the modes of lawn care transportation that are used,” said Timmy Trachterguy who supports the installation of riding lawnmower lanes.

“There are always deer carcasses or mattresses blocking the shoulders on Norbeck,” he said.

“A zero turn with a 60-inch deck is too wide for the Norbeck bridge shoulder,” added Lenny Waukenmann an advocate for safer pedestrian access. “I don't even walk there. It's just really unsafe.”

Trachterguy and Waukenmann attended a Division of Transportation public meeting, where city officials said the proposed riding mower lanes will span Norbeck Road from the intersection with Muncaster Mill Road to Guide Drive, and continue on Gude to the turning lane into Rockville Metals.

Some neighbors including Marge Lafarge disagree. Lafarge said she believes the county should make traffic lanes wider, not narrower.

“It's hard enough now for a 30-ton concrete mixer to make the turn onto Southlawn Lane,” said Lafarge. “I am for riding lawn mowers but the way they're doing it seems like an accident settlement agreement waiting to happen.”

The design process started last summer and is expected to continue into the spring of 2032. Meantime, Trachterguy says he will continue to steel himself for the onslaught of barreling metal on Norbeck and Gude

Make sure mowerists can see you coming! Restore those headlights!