Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Go Montgomery - September 28, 2015

Go Montgomery

Walktoschoolcontest

MCDOT Sponsoring Safe Routes to School Contest to Promote Walk to School Day

To promote Walk to School Day on October 7, Montgomery County Department of Transportation is hosting a Safe Routes to School Contest from September 28 through October 16. Read more.

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Celebrate Walk to School Day

Wednesday, October 7 is Walk to School when communities around the country celebrate the simple act of walking and bicycling to school. It’s not too late for schools to register to participate.This year’s Montgomery County host school will be Bells Mill Elementary School. Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Interim Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Larry Bowers will join students, teachers and parents as they gather at Cabin John Middle School at 9 a.m. and then begin their walk to school at 9:30 a.m.   Read more.

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Seniors Invited to Take Age-Friendly Community Survey

In preparation for County Executive Ike Leggett’s upcoming Summit on Aging, residents 55 or older are invited to take a survey and offer their thoughts and ideas about Montgomery County as a place to live and retire. The summit will be focus on ways to make Montgomery County an even better "community for a lifetime." Read More.

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Walk and Ride Competition to be Held in October

Commuter Services’ annual Walk and Ride competition encourages work teams in the County’s five Transportation Management Districts to add steps to their daily work-related activities. Teams track their walking during commutes or at lunchtime and compete for prizes. Read more.

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Ride On Route Service Improvements Started this Week

On Sunday, Ride On bus schedules and routes were modified to better reflect traffic conditions and improve efficiencies.  Details about the changes are online.

PARKingDay

MCDOT Celebrates PARKing Day

MCDOT celebrated International PARKing Day on September 18 in three of its parking districts: Silver Spring, in partnership with Montgomery Parks, Wheaton and Bethesda.  Read More.

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Commuter Services Sponsors Events for Car Free Day

MCDOT’s  Commuter Services sponsored several events to promote Car Free Day on September 22. This international event encourages people to give up their car for the day and see how they can still get around...whether to work, school or shopping....using community resources ranging from transit to bikes to walking. Read More.

Bikeshare5thAnniversary

MCDOT Sponsors Events to Celebrate the Fifth Birthday of Capital Bikeshare

The region’s Capital Bikeshare system celebrated its fifth anniversary and MCDOT’s Commuter Services joined the festivities by hosting events in Silver Spring, Rockville and Bethesda. Staff distributed free Capital Bikeshare promotional items and free 24-hour membership coupons.  Those stopping by their booths had the opportunity to sign up for raffles to win bike helmets and an annual membership.

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September 28, 2015


BruceJohnston

MCDOT’s Transportation Engineering Division Chief Wins County Engineer of the Year Award

Bruce Johnston, Transportation Engineering division chief, has won the County Engineers Association of Maryland (CEAM) County Engineer of the Year Award. CEAM presents this award to an engineer chosen for his/her exemplary service to their county. Read more.

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Upcoming Highway Services Road Improvement Projects

The Division of Highway Services (DHS) continues road improvement projects in September/October. Schedules are dependent on weather conditions.

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Permanent pavement patching preserves pavement, restoring the roadway’s structural capacity and integrity. In these types of projects, DHS makes full depth patches, seals cracks, applies hot mix asphalt and replaces lane markings. Upcoming projects will take about six weeks to complete and will require temporary lane closures. Work will take place Monday through Friday, but some Saturday work may be required.  Read More.

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Monday, September 28, 2015

MCDOT Sponsoring Safe Routes to School Contest to Promote Walk to School Day


To promote Walk to School Day on October 7, Montgomery County Department of Transportation is hosting a Safe Routes to School Contest from September 28 through October 16. Students can participate by providing their name, parent or student email address, and school name on the redesigned Safe Routes to School website. Students will earn extra entries by taking photos of themselves walking to school and posting them on Twitter and/or Instagram using the hashtag #walk2schoolMOCO. Four student winners will receive $50 Chipotle gift cards. The principal from the school that receives the most contest entries will receive an office lunch party (rewarded as a $100 Visa gift card), a feature in a Montgomery County newsletter, and a certificate of recognition from Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. 


MCDOT’s Transportation Engineering Division Chief Wins County Engineer of the Year Award


Bruce Johnston, Transportation Engineering division chief, has won the County Engineers Association of Maryland (CEAM) County Engineer of the Year Award. CEAM presents this award to an engineer chosen for his/her exemplary service to their county.

Johnston has been with Montgomery County for 14 years and Transportation Engineering Division Chief since 2009. While with the County, he managed many notable projects, including construction of the Strathmore Music Hall and Rockville Library.

Bruce graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1979 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a partner in a small consulting firm in Peoria for several years before moving to another design firm in Louisville, Kentucky and then to Richmond Virginia where he was the Staff Engineer for Development at CSX Realty. He subsequently moved to Hagerstown, Maryland where he served as City Engineer for 10 years.

Bruce has been a Registered Land Surveyor in Illinois and a Professional Engineer in Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, Florida, Minnesota and Maryland.


Celebrate Walk to School Day


Wednesday, October 7 is Walk to School when communities around the country celebrate the simple act of walking and bicycling to school. It’s not too late for schools to register to participate. Learn more. 

This year’s Montgomery County host school will be Bells Mill Elementary School. Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Interim Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Larry Bowers will join students, teachers and parents as they gather at Cabin John Middle School at 9 a.m. and then begin their walk to school at 9:30 a.m. 

As part of its Walk to School Day participation, Bells Mill will launch a “Fire Up Your Feet” challenge. During the month of October, teachers, families and students are encouraged to work together to create active lifestyles that keep families healthy and help kids improve academic performance.  An online activity tracker lets families and staff log their physical activity such as walking, playing, bicycling and more. Schools with the most family and school staff participation have the chance to win a portion of more than $100,000 in awards being offered nationally.  The awards are calculated based on participation in such activities as “brain breaks” or walk-a-thons. Fire Up Your Feet is a program of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, the family engagement partner for the national PTA and funded in large part by Kaiser Permanente.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Upcoming Highway Services Road Improvement Projects

The Division of Highway Services (DHS) continues road improvement projects in September/October. Schedules are dependent on weather conditions.

Permanent pavement patching preserves pavement, restoring the roadway’s structural capacity and integrity. In these types of projects, DHS makes full depth patches, seals cracks, applies hot mix asphalt and replaces lane markings. Upcoming projects will take about six weeks to complete and will require temporary lane closures. Work will take place Monday through Friday, but some Saturday work may be required.
  • Blunt Road between Brink Road and Watkins Mill Road, Germantown. Work will
    take about two weeks. Work hours are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Flower Hill Way, Gaithersburg. Work will take about two weeks. Work hours are
    between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Shady Grove Plaza, Rockville. Work will take about five days. Work hours are
    between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  •   Chestnut Hills neighborhood, Wheaton. Work will take about four weeks. Work hours
    are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Glenhaven neighborhood, Silver Spring. Work will take about four weeks. Work hours
    are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
            A five week paving project will begin on Brickyard Road, between Falls Road and MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac to repair and resurface the roadway. The project includes full depth patching, pavement milling, paving with hot mix asphalt and replacement of lane markings. Work hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but some Saturday work may be required.  Read more.



A neighborhood pavement preservation project is planned for the Laytonsville Knolls neighborhood in Laytonsville. The two week project will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work includes full depth patching, crack sealing, micro surfacing and replacement of lane markings. Read more.


MCDOT will begin a project this fall to rehabilitate the pavement, curbs and sidewalks in the Alderleaf community in Germantown.  Weather permitting, the work should take about eight weeks. Residents will be able to take advantage of the driveway apron and lead walk repair program while crews are in the neighborhood. MCDOT will manage the project and have supervisors onsite daily during construction.  Read more.

Walk and Ride Competition to be Held in October


Commuter Services’ annual Walk and Ride competition encourages work teams in the County’s five Transportation Management Districts to add steps to their daily work-related activities. Teams track their walking during commutes or at lunchtime and compete for prizes.

Walk and Ride will be held in Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, North Bethesda and Shady Grove from October 5 to 23. The competition is scheduled for October 4 to 24 in downtown Bethesda.

Seniors Invited to Take Age-Friendly Community Survey


In preparation for County Executive Ike Leggett’s upcoming Summit on Aging, residents 55 or older are invited to take a survey and offer their thoughts and ideas about Montgomery County as a place to live and retire. The summit will be focus on ways to make Montgomery County an even better "community for a lifetime."  

In addition, please forward this information to friends, family and others in the community who might like to provide their thoughts. 



 2015 Montgomery County Age Friendly Community Survey

Ride On Route Service Improvements Began September 20


Ride On bus schedules and routes were modified to better reflect traffic conditions and improve efficiencies.  Details about the changes are online.



MCDOT’s Transportation Engineering Division Chief Wins County Engineer of the Year Award


Bruce Johnston, Transportation Engineering division chief, has won the County Engineers Association of Maryland County Engineer of the Year Award. 

MCDOT Celebrates PARKing Day


MCDOT celebrated International PARKing Day on September 18 in three of its parking districts: Silver Spring, in partnership with Montgomery Parks, Wheaton and Bethesda. The event encourages transformation of parking spaces into another use for the day. It’s a way to promote public discussion about how we use our public spaces and right-of-ways, particularly in urban areas, to ensure we include green space and parks. It’s also an opportunity to boost use of alternative transportation and development of the infrastructure needed to support it. 


In Silver Spring, a park-like setting was created that featured plants, seating and a cornhole game. Bethesda had two spaces Рone converted into an outdoor caf̩ and the other a reading room. In Wheaton, staff distributed information about parking lot pedestrian safety and alternative transportation options.


Commuter Services Sponsors Events for Car Free Day


MCDOT’s  Commuter Services sponsored several events to promote Car Free Day on September 22. This international event encourages people to give up their car for the day and see how they can still get around...whether to work, school or shopping....using community resources ranging from transit to bikes to walking.

Commuter Services set up booths at the following locations to distribute information about alternative transportation options:
• Germantown Transit Center
• Bethesda Metro Station
• Shady Grove Metro Station
• Twinbrook Metro Station
• Silver Spring Metro Station
• Friendship Heights Metro Station
• Selected Ride On bus stops


Learn more about Car Free Day.

MCDOT Sponsors Events to Celebrate the Fifth Birthday of Capital Bikeshare



The region’s Capital Bikeshare system celebrated its fifth anniversary and MCDOT’s Commuter Services joined the festivities by hosting events in Silver Spring, Rockville and Bethesda. Staff distributed free Capital Bikeshare promotional items and free 24-hour membership coupons.  Those stopping by their booths had the opportunity to sign up for raffles to win bike helmets and an annual membership.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Go Montgomery - September 11, 2015

Go Montgomery

capbikeshare

Celebrate Capital Bikeshare's Fifth Anniversary with MCDOT's Commuter Services

The region’s Capital Bikeshare system is celebrating its fifth anniversary and MCDOT’s Commuter Services will be joining in the festivities. Read more.

SStransitcenter

Metro Announces Silver Spring Transit Center to Open September 20

On Sunday, September 20, Metro will open the Paul S. Sarbanes Silver Spring Transit Center. This new center is located next to the Silver Spring Red Line Metrorail station and features more than 30 bus bays serving Ride On, VanGo, Metrobus and the University of Maryland shuttle. Read more.

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Montgomery County to Host Purple Line Presentation and Informational Open House

The public is invited to attend a presentation by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to hear more about the State’s recent changes to the Purple Line project. The Purple Line is a proposed light rail line that will run from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. Read more.

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Montgomery County’s TRiPS Commuter Stores Offer Personalized Service; Staff Can Help Residents Sign Up for Parking Space Pay-by-Phone System
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) TRiPS Commuter stores in Silver Spring (map above) and Friendship Heights help residents with alternative transportation services and provide instruction on using the parking meter pay-by-phone service called MobileNOW!  Read more.

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Bike Lanes to be Added to Four Roadways Undergoing Resurfacing

As part of Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) commitment to expanding the County’s bike network, it is installing more bike lanes whenever possible where road work is underway.  Read more.

shadygroveTMD

Leggett Seeks Applicants for New Greater Shady Grove Transportation Management District Advisory Committee

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on the newly established Greater Shady Grove Transportation Management District Advisory Committee.  Applications are due September 15. Read more.

schoolbuskids

School is Back in Session – Be Sure to Stop for School Buses and Avoid a $125 Ticket

Keep children who ride school buses safe. Under Maryland law, drivers travelling in both directions must stop and wait until a school bus's red lights stop flashing before proceeding. The only exception is on a divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation, either a physical barrier or a wide space, such as a swale. In that case, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Watch the video.

MD195

SHA Seeks Public Input on Improvements Needed along MD 97

If you shop, work, or own a business along MD 97 (Georgia Avenue), the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) would like to hear from you. Read more.

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Capital Bikeshare Expanding

Sixty more Capital Bikeshare stations are coming to the DC metro area --  with seven of them in Montgomery County. Two of the stations will be funded by developers The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) expects to take delivery of the equipment by the end of this year. Read more.

rideOnrealtime

Ride On Launches Another Way to Stay in Touch with its New Quarterly Newsletter

Ride On has launched a new, quarterly newsletter called Ride On Review to share its good news with customers and the public. It’s just another way to stay up to date on the latest news, services and information from Ride On. Read more.

seniorsdrivecarfit

Older Drivers Can Receive a Free CarFit Checkup in September

Older drivers can sign up for a free CarFit checkup, which is an interactive program that demonstrates how seniors can make their vehicle "fit" them to increase safety and mobility on the road. Read more.

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Ride On's Youth Monthly Bus Passes Now on Sale

Montgomery County residents who are 18 years of age or younger can get unlimited rides on Ride On for $11 a month by purchasing Ride On’s Youth Monthly Pass, which must be loaded onto the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card. Read more.

montgomeryparks

Montgomery Parks Invites Public to a Meeting on September 16 about Proposed Changes to the Countywide Park Trails Plan

Montgomery Parks is planning a comprehensive amendment to the Countywide Park Trails Plan that uses updated methodologies, tools and strategies to plan and implement major park trail systems throughout the County. Parks invites the public to hear more at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. at the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks Shady Grove Maintenance Yard Training Room (enter under the green awning), 16641 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville. Read more.

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Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Study Finds Speed Cameras Have Significantly Reduced Deaths and Injuries in Montgomery County

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has issued a report stating that Montgomery County’s speed-camera program has led to long-term changes in driver behavior and substantial reductions in deaths and injuries.  The IIHS presented the research at the annual meeting of the Governors Highway Safety Association in Nashville. Read more.

rockcreek

Montgomery Parks Begins Installing Signs along Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail

Montgomery Parks has begun installing trail signage along the 14-mile Rock Creek hiker-biker trail and its hard-surface trail connectors from Lake Needwood to the District of Columbia border. The project is scheduled to be completed by October 30. Read more.

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September 11, 2015

mcdotnews

Update on Highway Services Projects

  • MCDOT will begin a project this fall to rehabilitate the pavement, curbs and sidewalks in the Edgemoor/Bradley Hills community in BethesdaRead more.
  • This month, Highway Services begins an eight-week project to repair sidewalks and curbs in the Gold Mine Crossing neighborhood of BrookevilleRead more
  • Highway Services has completed a culvert replacement project ahead of schedule along Izaak Walton Way in PoolesvilleRead more.
  • Beginning this month, Highway Services will repave Seven Locks Road from Tuckerman Lane to Democracy Boulevard. Read more.

roadconstructionsign

MCDOT Completes Intersection Improvement Project to Reduce Traffic Congestion on Sam Eig Highway

In August, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) opened a third northeast-bound lane between Great Seneca Highway (Maryland Route 119) and Diamondback Drive to reduce traffic congestion for vehicles entering Sam Eig Highway. Read more.

Transportation Engineering Begins Constructing Connection from Rainbow Drive to Thompson Road in Cloverly

Montgomery County Department of Transportation has begun a project in Cloverly to extend Rainbow Drive from its current terminus to Thompson Road. The extension will be 24 feet wide with two lanes. The road will have a grass ditch on both sides and a four-foot-wide concrete sidewalk on the south side. Sections of the existing road will also be resurfaced. Read more.

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SHA Begins Improvement Projects in Gaithersburg and Bethesda

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has started three projects to improve traffic flow in Montgomery County:
  • A $765,000 improvement project at the MD 119 (Great Seneca Highway) and Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive intersection in Gaithersburg. Read more. 
  • Resurfacing for a $1.4 million intersection safety improvement project along MD 124 (Midcounty Highway) at Saybrooke Oaks Boulevard / Woodfield Road. Read more.
  • An $825,000 project to widenRiver Road and add a left turn lane at the Willard Avenue intersection that should be completed in late fall 2016. Read more.

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This service is provided to you at no charge by Department of Transportation of MontgomeryCounty MD.
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