In early September, Woodmont Avenue between Bethesda and Miller avenues in Bethesda closed for 20 months for construction of a public-private partnership project. When completed, the project will more than triple the number of public parking spaces available on the former surface parking lot located at the intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues (the lot across from the Barnes and Noble bookstore). The adjacent Capital Crescent Trail will remain open during construction.
To assist parkers, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation has enhanced other parking options in the area. At the Bethesda-Elm Parking Garage (Garage 57), which has more than 900 parking spaces and is located between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street, staff has converted 103 long-term spaces to four-hour spaces. In addition, a new messaging system at the garage’s entrance shows drivers how many parking spaces are available.
Drivers who need to park for longer periods of time are encouraged to use other garages in Bethesda. Long-term parking spaces are available at the Woodmont Corner Garage (Garage 11) at Woodmont and Old Georgetown Road and the Auburn-Del Ray Garage (Garage 36), as well as at privately operated parking facilities.
The free Bethesda Circulator shuttle bus provides service to many of the parking facilities in Bethesda. The hours of operation of the Circulator have been expanded and the frequency of service has been increased.
The new building is scheduled to be completed in fall 2013. Additional information on the construction project is available at the Bethesda Urban Partnership’s website. For more information on parking in Montgomery County’s public lots and garages, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website.
