Friday, July 31, 2015

Go Montgomery - July 31, 2015



Go Montgomery

pedsafetykids

Pedestrian Collisions Significantly Decline in 2014

Pedestrian collisions in Montgomery County declined by 16 percent in 2014 compared to 2013, from 483 to 405. Most significantly, severe collisions - - where pedestrians are either killed or incapacitated by their injuries - - declined by 13 percent to an eight year low of 74, compared with 85 in 2013. Nine pedestrians were killed in 2014, compared to thirteen in 2013.  Read more.

IkeADAanniversary

Leggett and Roshdieh Celebrate 25th Anniversary of ADA with Federal Transit Administrator; MCDOT’s Bus Stop Improvement Program Touted as National Model

On the eve of the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced that the County’s nine-year Bus Stop Improvement Program has enhanced accessibility and pedestrian safety at 3,025 bus stops.  Read more.

tpb

MCDOT Wins TPB Grant to Fund New Trail in Clarksburg

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved $523,416 for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to fund the design and engineering of a shared use path and sidewalk along Maryland (MD) Route 355 in Clarksburg from Snowden Farm Parkway to Stringtown Road.  The path will create a link in the existing trail network along MD 355 between Little Bennett Regional Park Trail and the Frederick Road Bike Path. Montgomery County will contribute about $131,000 to the project if approved by the County Council.  Read more.

CapitalCresTrail

Montgomery Parks to Temporarily Close Portions of the Capital Crescent Trail

On Tuesday, August 4, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Montgomery Parks will close the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) between Bradley Boulevard and Little Falls Parkway. Trail users can use Bradley Boulevard and Arlington Road as a detour.
On Wednesday, August 5, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the trail will be closed between Little Falls Parkway and Dorset Avenue. The detour will take trail users over Little Falls Parkway at Dorset Avenue, onto Little Falls Trail to head north on Hillandale Road, cross Hillandale and use the road adjacent to the Bethesda Pool to reenter the trail.  More information is available online. 

ChesneyComm2

Road Rehabilitation Project in Damascus to Begin in Late Summer

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Highway Services will rehabilitate roads, sidewalks and curbs in the Chesney community in Damascus. This type of project rebuilds community infrastructure while protecting its trees and preserving the character of the neighborhood. Read more.

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JULY 31, 2015


mcdotnews

Highway Services Road Improvement Projects Ahead

The Division of Highway Services will begin several projects to resurface roads. Staff will make full depth patches, mill the pavement, repave roads with hot mix asphalt and replace lane markings. Schedules are dependent on weather conditions. 
Project locations include:Greenwood Knolls, Second Avenue, Norton Road, Cheltenham Drive, Spring Garden Estates, Montgomery Industrial Park in Silver Spring, Riggs Road, Decoverly Drive, Fox Hills WestRead More.
highwayservices

Pedestrian Collisions Significantly Decline in 2014


Pedestrian collisions in Montgomery County declined by 16 percent in 2014 compared to 2013, from 483 to 405. Most significantly, severe collisions - - where pedestrians are either killed or incapacitated by their injuries - - declined by 13 percent to an eight year low of 74, compared with 85 in 2013. Nine pedestrians were killed in 2014, compared to thirteen in 2013.

A reduction in speeding resulting from traffic calming, the use of speed cameras and other safety improvements implemented under County Executive Ike Leggett's Pedestrian Safety Initiative are credited with reducing the severity of pedestrian collisions in Montgomery County.

Leggett and Roshdieh Celebrate 25th Anniversary of ADA with Federal Transit Administrator; MCDOT’s Bus Stop Improvement Program Touted as National Model




On the eve of the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced that the County’s nine-year Bus Stop Improvement Program has enhanced accessibility and pedestrian safety at 3,025 bus stops.

In 2006, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) assessed the County’s 5,340 bus stops for location, pedestrian accessibility and connection, signage information, safety/security and amenities and identified 3,400 as needing improvement. Today, the Bus Stop Improvement Program has completed work on 89 percent of those stops; work continues on the remaining 275 bus stops.  Read more.

MCDOT Wins TPB Grant to Fund New Trail in Clarksburg

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved $523,416 for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to fund the design and engineering of a shared use path and sidewalk along Maryland (MD) Route 355 in Clarksburg from Snowden Farm Parkway to Stringtown Road.  The path will create a link in the existing trail network along MD 355 between Little Bennett Regional Park Trail and the Frederick Road Bike Path. Montgomery County will contribute about $131,000 to the project if approved by the County Council.


The grant comes from the Maryland Transportation Alternatives Program, which provides federal funds for projects considered as alternatives to traditional highway construction.  The program combines three former federal programs: Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to Schools and Recreational Trails. The Maryland program is facilitated by the Maryland State Highway Administration and final funding recommendations are subject to review and approval by the State Secretary of Transportation.
TPB also approved other projects that will benefit Montgomery County:
  • $2 million in grant funds for Montgomery Parks to construct the North Branch Hiker-Biker Trail.  This trail is an important link between the Lake Frank/Rock Creek Trail and the Muncaster Mill Road Bikeway/ICC Shared Use Path. See location.
  • $99,703 to the City of Rockville for the Falls Road East Shared Use Path.
  • $395,000 to the City of Takoma Park for Lincoln Avenue sidewalks (Safe Routes to School).
More information and a map of project locations are available online. 

Highway Services Road Improvement Projects Ahead

The Division of Highway Services will begin several projects to resurface roads. Staff will make full depth patches, mill the pavement, repave roads with hot mix asphalt and replace lane markings. Schedules are dependent on weather conditions.  Projects include:
  • Greenwood Knolls neighborhood in Silver Spring.  The project will take four to six weeks to
    complete. Work hours will be weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Some work may be required on Saturdays.
  • Second Avenue, between Spring Street and Colesville Road (US 29), in Silver Spring.  Second Avenue will take about five weeks to complete with work hours on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and at night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Some work may be required on Saturdays.
  • Norton Road, between Glen Road and River Road, in Potomac. Work hours will be between weekdays 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Some work may be required on Saturdays.
  • Cheltenham Drive in Bethesda from Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355) to Tilbury Street. The project will take about five days. Work hours will be during week nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Spring Garden Estates, Damascus. The project will take about four weeks to complete with work hours between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Some work may be required on Saturdays.
  • Montgomery Industrial Park in Silver Spring. The project will take five to eight weeks to complete, weather permitting. Work will take place during the week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and at night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Some work on Saturdays may be required.
A permanent paving patching project on Riggs Road in Gaithersburg will take about four weeks, weather permitting, with work hours 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some work on Saturdays may also be required. Staff will identify areas of pavement that need to be replaced and make full depth patches followed by resurfacing with hot mix asphalt.

Two pavement preservation projects to restore roadway structural integrity will begin on Decoverly Drive, from Great Seneca Highway to Diamondback Drive, in Gaithersburg and the Fox Hills West neighborhood in Potomac. The projects include full depth patching, utility adjustments, crack sealing, micro surfacing and replacement of lane markings.

Decoverly Drive will take about six to eight weeks to complete and work hours will be weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Work in Fox Hills West will take about four weeks to complete. Work hours from Monday through Friday will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Highway Services will begin an emergency storm drain improvement project on the right-of-way in front of 402 Ellsworth Drive near the intersection of Bennington Drive in Silver Spring. The project will involve removal of a tree that is on top of the failing storm drain pipe and replacement of the pipe. The project will take about 15 days to complete, weather permitting. Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.



Road Rehabilitation Project in Damascus to Begin in Late Summer


The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Highway Services will rehabilitate roads, sidewalks and curbs in the Chesney community in Damascus. This type of project rebuilds community infrastructure while protecting its trees and preserving the character of the neighborhood.

Residents will have an opportunity to take advantage of MCDOT’s lead walk and driveway apron repair program that allows homeowners to make repairs at the County’s competitively bid contract prices.  Learn more about the program online.

The project should take about two months. Work hours will be weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some Saturday work may be necessary.

Montgomery Parks to Temporarily Close Portions of the Capital Crescent Trail

On Tuesday, August 4, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Montgomery Parks will close the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) between Bradley Boulevard and Little Falls Parkway. Trail users can use Bradley Boulevard and Arlington Road as a detour.

On Wednesday, August 5, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the trail will be closed between Little Falls Parkway and Dorset Avenue. The detour will take trail users over Little Falls Parkway at Dorset Avenue, onto Little Falls Trail to head north on Hillandale Road, cross Hillandale and use the road adjacent to the Bethesda Pool to reenter the trail.

More information is available online.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Go Montgomery Newsletter - July 15, 2015

Go Montgomery

roadclosed2

Randolph Road to Close for About a Week Starting Saturday, July 18

Randolph Road at Nebel Street will close for about a week on Saturday, July 18 while CSX performs track maintenance. CSX expects to reopen the road on Friday, July 24, weather permitting. Read more.

photoapp

It’s Not Too Late to Submit a Photo for MCDOT’s Annual Photography Competition; Application Due Date Extended to July 31

For the 24th Annual Amateur Photography Contest, photos of County locations or residents are judged on effective composition, originality, interest and relevance of the subject matter, and technique. Categories include Montgomery County by day or by night, County landmarks, people, and persons at work. There is also an optional youth category for aspiring photographers age 18 and younger who wish to be judged only against their peers. Read more.

culvert

MCDOT Highway Services Begins Urgent Drainage Repairs in Damascus, Poolesville and Chevy Chase

Sweepstakes Road in Damascus between Cutsail Drive and Newbury Road will be closed for about six months as Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Highway Services begins an urgent replacement of a large culvert under the road. Motorists are advised to look for signs directing them to route detours. The road will remain open to pedestrian traffic Read More.

yuu

School Warning Flashers Retimed for New School Schedules this Fall; New Technology Allows Central Control of Timing

Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Board of Education votedto push back school start times for all students. To accommodate this change, Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is in the process of reprogramming more than 150 school warning flashers. As part of this effort, staff is installing new equipment that allows MCDOT’s Transportation Management Center to remotely manage the devices rather than having to individually adjust each warning flasher in the field. All school warning flashers will be upgraded by the first day of school.

residentialpark22

Use of Digital Parking Permits to Begin in Blueridge and Rosemary Hills Neighborhoods in Wheaton

Starting the week of July 13, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will begin phasing in the new, online residential parking permit program that eliminates the need for paper permits in the Blueridge and Rosemary Hills neighborhoods.  Read more.

montrosephase2

Public Hearing on Phase 2 of the Montrose Parkway Project to be Held July 23

The Maryland State Highway Administration and MCDOT’s Division of Transportation Engineering will hold a public hearing on July 23 to seek comments on a proposal to construct Montrose Parkway between Maryland Route 355 (Rockville Pike) and Parklawn Drive.Read more.

metrologo

Express Bus Service May be Coming to Veirs Mill; Metro Could Start Service in January

The Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) Customer Service and Operations Board Committee approved a proposal to add limited stop Metrobus service on Veirs Mill Road from the Rockville Metrorail Station to the Wheaton Metrorail Station. Read More.

suburbanhospital

One Block of Lincoln Street in Bethesda to Permanently Close on July 21

Beginning Tuesday, July 21, Lincoln Street, between Old Georgetown Road and Grant Street, will be permanently closed to make way for Suburban Hospital's construction of an addition and new parking structure. A presentation about the project is available online.

MSHA#

SHA Shifts Traffic Lanes for University Boulevard Bridge Project in Silver Spring

The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) has completed one-half of the $9.6 million Maryland Route 193 (University Boulevard) bridge replacement project in Silver Spring. Read more.

SHA to Begin I-495 Triple Lane Closures Thursday Night

Beginning Thursday, July 16 (weather permitting), and continuing each weeknight until all work is completed, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close traffic lanes on the Outer Loop of I-495 (Capital Beltway) over Maryland Route 185 (Connecticut Avenue, exit 34) for emergency bridge deck repairs. Read more.

JULY 15, 2015


HIGHWAY SERVICES BEGIN REPAIR PROJECTS


sidewalkrepair453

Highway Services will begin two projects to repair or replace sidewalks, curbs and gutters on Muncaster Road, from Muncaster Mill Road, MD 115, to Horizon Terrace; and in the Airpark Business District along Snouffer School Road, from Woodfield Road (MD124) to Earhart Court. Both projects are in Gaithersburg.Read more.

chipseal
MCDOT will resurface roadways in the Inverness North community, located in Potomac . The roads will be resurfaced with hot mix asphalt in July or August. The project should take about four weeks to complete. Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, although some work on Saturdays may be required.Read more.
roadrollers
MCDOT will permanently patch pavement in the Good Hope Estates community inSilver Spring; the  Carole Acres neighborhood in Colesville; and on Brookeville Road, from Georgia Avenue to Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney, beginning in July or August. Read more.
roadapplication
In Darnestown, crews will use a chip seal resurfacing treatment on Black Rock Road, from Darnestown Road to Burdette Lane, to preserve the pavement on this rural/rustic road. Read more.
In Darnestown, crews will use a chip seal resurfacing treatment on Black Rock Road, from Darnestown Road to Burdette Lane, to preserve the pavement on this rural/rustic road. Read more.

SHA to Begin I-495 Triple Lane Closures Thursday Night



Beginning Thursday, July 16 (weather permitting), and continuing each weeknight until all work is completed, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close traffic lanes on the Outer Loop of I-495 (Capital Beltway) over Maryland Route 185 (Connecticut Avenue, exit 34) for emergency bridge deck repairs. Read more.

It’s Not Too Late to Submit a Photo for MCDOT’s Annual Photography Competition; Application Due Date Extended to July 31

 2015 Photo Contest Form

The County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has extended the application due date for its annual Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) photography competition.

For the 24th Annual Amateur Photography Contest, photos of County locations or residents are judged on effective composition, originality, interest and relevance of the subject matter, and technique. Categories include Montgomery County by day or by night, County landmarks, people, and persons at work. There is also an optional youth category for aspiring photographers age 18 and younger who wish to be judged only against their peers.

Visit MCDOT’s Community Outreach website to obtain the photography contest application.

For more information call MCDOT’s Community Outreach office at 240-777-7155 or email mcdot.outreach@montgomerycountymd.gov to request an application form either by mail or electronically.

First Place Winners from 2014:

 Photo Contest Winner

 First Place Winner

 First Place Winner

 First Place Winner

 First Place Winner

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Randolph Road to Close for About a Week Starting Saturday, July 18


 


Randolph Road at Nebel Street will close for about a week on Saturday, July 18 while CSX performs track maintenance. CSX expects to reopen the road on Friday, July 24, weather permitting. 

Detour signs will direct westbound travelers on Randolph Road to turn left onto Parklawn Drive, continue on Nicholson Lane and then turn right onto Rockville Pike to return to Randolph Road. Easbound travelers on Montrose Parkway will be directed to turn right onto East Jefferson Street, right onto Old Georgetown Road and left onto Nicholson Lane, which turns into Parklawn Drive, to return to Randolph Road.

MCDOT Highway Services Begins Urgent Drainage Repairs in Damascus, Poolesville and Chevy Chase


Sweepstakes Road in Damascus between Cutsail Drive and Newbury Road will be closed for about six months as Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Highway Services begins an urgent replacement of a large culvert under the road. Motorists are advised to look for signs directing them to route detours. The road will remain open to pedestrian traffic. Read more.

MCDOT also began installing two, large culverts under Izaak Walton Way in Poolesville. The urgent work will require closure of the road for about two months while staff replaces an existing, badly eroded pipe that routes water from the Horsepen Branch Creek under the road. MCDOT will also install new headwalls. Read more.

For both locations, the work has been approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

An emergency replacement of a drainage pipe under Offutt Lane near the intersection of Bradley Boulevard  begins this week. The project will include storm drain replacement and drainage improvements along Chevy Chase Drive. MCDOT will also install new sidewalks and curbs on both Chevy Chase Drive and Offutt Lane. Residents may participate in the driveway apron replacement program. The project will take about eight weeks to complete, weather permitting. Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Parking may be restricted in the work zone.

More Roadway Improvement Projects Underway


MCDOT will resurface roadways in the Inverness North community, located in Potomac . The roads will be resurfaced with hot mix asphalt in July or August. The project should take about four weeks to complete. Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, although some work on Saturdays may be required.

Highway Services pavement preservation projects planned for July/August will use a micro surfacing material to extend the life of the pavement on Weller Road, from Littleton Street to Georgia Avenue, Silver  Spring; Bauer Drive, from Emory Lane to Norbeck Road, Rockville; and Sugarbush and Snowshoe Lanes in North Bethesda. The projects are expected to take six to eight weeks to complete, weather permitting. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. 


MCDOT will permanently patch pavement in the Good Hope Estates community in Silver Spring; the  Carole Acres neighborhood in Colesville; and on Brookeville Road, from Georgia Avenue to Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney, beginning in July or August. Areas of distressed pavement will be excavated and replaced with hot mix asphalt. This treatment cost effectively preserves pavement by preventing water infiltration and restoring the road’s structural integrity. The projects will take about eight weeks to complete, weather permitting, and crews will work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some work on Saturdays may be required.


In Darnestown, crews will use a chip seal resurfacing treatment on Black Rock Road, from Darnestown Road to Burdette Lane, to preserve the pavement on this rural/rustic road. Chipseal is an overlay of liquid asphalt binder and a layer of small gravel that preserves the pavement structure and the natural, agricultural and historic character of the area. The project will begin in mid-July and will take several weeks to complete. Work hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some Saturdays if necessary.

Highway Services Begins Concrete Repair Projects



Highway Services will begin two projects to repair or replace sidewalks, curbs and gutters on Muncaster Road , from Muncaster Mill Road, MD 115, to Horizon Terrace; and in the Airpark Business District along Snouffer School Road, from Woodfield Road (MD124) to Earhart Court. Both projects are in Gaithersburg.

Repairs will take about two to three weeks to complete, weather permitting. Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

School Warning Flashers Retimed for New School Schedules this Fall; New Technology Allows Central Control of Timing

 

Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to push back school start times for all students. To accommodate this change, Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is in the process of reprogramming more than 150 school warning flashers. As part of this effort, staff is installing new equipment that allows MCDOT’s Transportation Management Center to remotely manage the devices rather than having to individually adjust each warning flasher in the field. All school warning flashers will be upgraded by the first day of school.

Use of Digital Parking Permits to Begin in Blueridge and Rosemary Hills Neighborhoods in Wheaton


Starting the week of July 13, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will begin phasing in the new, online residential parking permit program that eliminates the need for paper permits in the Blueridge and Rosemary Hills neighborhoods.  The system makes the process of getting a permit faster and easier and instantly provides permits for new vehicles and visitors.

Residents in the neigborhoods have been notified about the availability of the online system. They can sign up online or purchase permits by phone by calling 855-510-3995, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.