Go Montgomery! October 30, 2018

Get There in a Flash: Groundbreaking Held for BRT on US 29 MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh joined County Executive Ike Leggett, Senator Chris Van Hollen, County Council President Riemer and other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for the County’s "FLASH" BRT, the first Bus Rapid Transit system. Opening in 2020, it will provide a reliable and affordable link between Silver Spring, White Oak, and Burtonsville. Read more and view photos. Leggett Addresses County's Preparedness to Handle Winter Storms County Executive Ike Leggett, MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh and MCDOT Highway Services Division Chief Richard Dorsey discussed the County’s readiness for the 2018-2019 winter storm season at the department’s annual Snow Summit. Read more and view photos. Public Invited to Provide Input on Possible Expansion of Dockless Bikeshare and Allowing e-Bikes and e-Scooters MCDOT seeks public input at one of three Town Hall meetings on the potential expansion of dockless bikeshare beyond the current pilot area in Silver Spring and Takoma Park. Input is also sought on whether to allow the use of pedal-assist, electric “e-bikes” and e-scooters. Read more. Community Service Day Bike Drive a Success This year’s MCDOT-sponsored bike drive collected 100 bikes as well as bike parts and helmets. MCDOT worked with Rockville Bike Hub and Bikes for the World. to organize the event. Volunteers from the organizations refurbish the bikes and ensure they are donated to low income residents in Montgomery County and throughout the world.  To Improve Safety, MCDOT Installs One of the First HAWK Pedestrian Signals in Maryland MCDOT has activated one of the first HAWK (high intensity activated crosswalk) pedestrian signals in Maryland on Muddy Branch Road at the intersection of Harmony Hall Road and King James Way. Read more. Ride On to Hold Public Hearing on November 15 About Proposed Service Change to Route 52 The public is invited to provide comments at a public hearing, online or by mail to MCDOT’s Transit Services about a proposal to extend Ride On Route 52 for selected trips to Our Lady of Good Counsel High School.  Read more. MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing About Possible Improvements for the MD 650/Powder Mill Road Intersection Public input is sought about proposals to improve the MD 650/Powder Mill Road Intersection within the White Oak area. Comments can be provided by email, mail or at the hearing, which will be held on Thursday, November 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the White Oak Community Recreation Center Social Hall, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring. Read more. Planning Board Approves MCDOT’s Plan for a Capital Crescent Trail Surface Route in Bethesda (from Bethesda Beat) A plan to create a route to connect the Capital Crescent Trail at Bethesda Row with Elm Street Park was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board. In 2019, MCDOT will construct separated bike lanes along Bethesda Avenue and Willow Lane from the intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues to Elm Street Local Park. The development will provide a permanent alternate route beneath Wisconsin Avenue. Read full article in Bethesda Beat. MCDOT’s Lu Wilson Speaks at Future Link Career Day About Opportunities in the Department MCDOT’s Administrative Specialist Lu Wilson helped make Future Link’s Career Day a success for about 40 participants. She explained that career paths are not always a straight line, and learning is something that happens continually throughout one’s life. She related her personal experiences and described the wide variety of opportunities available in MCDOT. Learn more onlineabout Future Link, which provides mentoring and resources to first-generation, high potential young adults. MCDOT Transit Services Holds Ride On Bus Roadeo Transit Services held a “roadeo” competition for Ride On bus operators. Ten individuals and two teams of three drivers each participated this year by demonstrating their driving skills on an obstacle course. The winner, Guillermo Vasquez, will go on to compete in the International Roadeo, which includes operators from the U.S. and Canada, that will be held in Louisville KY in May 2019. Pictured from left to right are: MCDOT Transit Services Division Chief Dan Hibbert; Chief of Operations Mike Nesselt; Winner, Ride On Bus Operator Guillermo Vasquez; and Ride On Depot Chief Andre Lucas NHTSA Campaign Urges Public to “Make It to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is an evening associated with drinking and a big night for bars, so it is urging drivers to plan ahead for a sober ride home. NHTSA says the Thanksgiving holiday period is the deadliest holiday on roads. Read more. October 30, 2018 Tips For a Safe Halloween Trick-or-treaters will be coming out soon. Check out these safety tips to make sure you have a safe and fun Halloween. Read more. Update on Infrastructure Repairs MCDOT’s Highway Services is busily completing repair projects before winter temperatures halt work for the season, including: Wilson Lane, Bethesda, Concrete Repair & Replacement Merrimac Park, Bethesda, Subdivision Patching Project Dale Drive, Silver Spring, Concrete Repair & Replacement Fieldcrest Road Paving Project Club Hollow Road, Poolesville, Bridge Rehabilitation Springfield Subdivision, Bethesda, Permanent Patching/Resurfacing Project Memory Lane, Silver Spring, Drainage Project County Leaf Vacuuming Collection Begins Week of November 12 and Continues Through the End of December MCDOT’s Division of Highway Services will begin its annual collection of leaves in the vacuum collection district the week of November 12. MCDOT provides two collections on district streets during the fall. Read more. Capital Bikeshare Offers Free Rides on Election Day On Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, Capital Bikeshare is providing free use of its shared bikes to encourage everyone to vote. See details. Uber and Lyft Also Providing Free Rides on Election DayGet a free ride on Uber or Lyfton Election Day, with some restrictions. Reminder: MCDOT Sponsors WABA City Cycling Classes With the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, MCDOT is co-sponsoring classes designed to help bike riders feel more confident about riding in urban settings. The next class will be held November 3. Read more. Update on the Wheaton Revitalization Project The underground garage is approaching street level, as Level P0 (the topmost garage level) is well underway and expected to be complete in early November. Pepco relocations are complete with the exception of pole removal, and installation of underground Verizon conduits along Grandview Avenue is proceeding. Follow live project progress by viewing the online camera. View weekly updates online.

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.