Annual Bike Drive to Repurpose Bicycles to be Held on Friday, Oct. 3 in Rockville
Donated bicycles can make a big difference for local community members. MCDOT's annual Bicycle Donation Drive from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact. Bikes will be collected, rain or shine, outside of the Montgomery County Council Office Building Garage at the corner of E. Jefferson and Monroe St. in Rockville.
Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Rockville Bike Hub volunteers will refurbish the bikes and MCDOT will place them with children and adults in the County through the MCDOT Bike Match Program or through the Rockville Terrific Kids program. A portion of the bikes are also sent to Bikes for the World and are donated internationally. Bikes that are not salvageable are recycled.
The bike donation event also will be accepting donations by check. Donations are tax-deductible and tax receipts will be available.
Community members can organize a bike collection at their school, place of worship or within their neighborhood and bring the bikes to Rockville on Friday, Oct. 3.
No Right on Red Law in Effect for Downtown, Town Center Locations in Montgomery County
MCDOT is alerting residents that as of Tuesday, July 1, drivers are prohibited from making right turns at red traffic signals in designated downtown and town center areas of Montgomery County.
Drivers who violate the ban on right turns at red lights may face a $90 fine and 1 point on their driver’s license, consistent with other locations within the State. In Maryland, a right turn on red is allowed unless there is a sign explicitly prohibiting it.
Designated intersections in high-density downtown areas, including Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring and Wheaton, as well as town centers in Germantown, Glenmont, Twinbrook and White Flint, are marked with signs stating “No Right Turns on Red.” Over 200 of these signs have been placed.
The no-right-on-red measure was passed as part of the Safe Streets Act of 2023 (Bill 11-23) to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on Montgomery County roadways.
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Kemp Mill Community Pedestrian Bridge Built by MCDOT Wins Statewide Engineering Award
MCDOT has been awarded the 2025 County Engineers Association of Maryland’s (CEAMs) Project of the Year Award for the Auth Lane Pedestrian Bridge project.
The Project of the Year Award is presented to the outstanding county project that demonstrates responsiveness to citizens’ needs, cost effectiveness, and innovative use of county staff and funds.
MCDOT designed and constructed the pedestrian bridge on Auth Lane in Silver Spring, which provides safe access over a tributary to the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River. The project better connects an existing walking path between Auth Lane and Kersey Road which was disrupted by a growing creek bed. While mostly dry, erosion over the years made the creek increasingly difficult to cross.
The Auth Bridge Pedestrian Bridge project won in the small project category. Awards are presented for small (less than $1,000,000), mid-size (between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000), and large projects (greater than $5,000,000).
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MCDOT Seeks Community Feedback on Security Robot in Silver Spring Parking Garage
MCDOT is hosting a series of public outreach events to provide information and gather feedback about a planned pilot program of a security robot in the Town Square Parking Garage located at 786 Ellsworth Drive in downtown Silver Spring.
The five-foot-tall security robot, named "Parker," is equipped with 360-degree security cameras and can navigate the garage’s parking decks using lidar, a sensor that detects objects in its path.
MCDOT is planning a one-year pilot to bolster the growing security effort that has been adding cameras to County parking garages over the last three years. MCDOT's pilot program will help measure if the robot’s presence deters crime.
Located at 786 Ellsworth Drive in downtown Silver Spring, the Town Square Garage is one of the County’s largest and most frequented, with seven levels, 1,280 parking spaces and more than 9,000 customers monthly.
“We know that crime and vandalism are concerns for the public in our parking garages, and the addition of Parker will provide extra security presence,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The security robot can also be used to summon help during an emergency.”
In the event of an emergency, the robot has lights and sirens that can be activated. A call button connecting to security is located on top of the robot.
The security robot can detect the presence of people and read license plates; however, it does not have facial recognition capabilities or record audio. There are no plans to use Parker for parking enforcement.
Security footage from Parker is the property of the County and will be stored for 30 days. The security footage will be shared with the police for investigative purposes only.
“We will present the feedback we receive to the County Council after completing public outreach this fall and what we hear from the community will guide the future of the pilot,” said Conklin.
A series of five outreach events with Amharic and Spanish interpreters is planned to provide information, answer questions and gather feedback via electronic and paper surveys. A life-size cut-out of the robot will be available to give the public a sense of its size.
The following future public outreach events are planned in Silver Spring:
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MCDOT will continue its series of fall classes to teach adults how to ride bicycles. The classes are open to residents 18-and-over who have never ridden a bike or who want to refresh their skills. Bikes will be provided. Advance registration is required to participate, and the cost is $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for WABA or Capital Bikeshare members.
The September and early October class is now full. Online registration is required to attend (November class registration will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30):
Adult Learn to Ride Bike classes:
- Sunday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Farm Women’s Market, Lot 24, Bethesda.
- Sunday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, Burtonsville.
- Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, Silver Spring.
- Sunday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Wheaton Ice Arena (back parking lot), Wheaton.
*Free scooter class to follow.
- Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot), Bethesda.
- Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Montgomery College (parking lot 13), Rockville.
Adult Basic Skills Bike Class schedule:
Rain dates will be held two weeks after the original class date and time, except for the Saturday, Nov. 8 class which will have a rain date of Saturday, Nov. 15.
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Ride On Bus Service Change to Route 41 Began Sunday, Sept. 7
MCDOT slightly adjusted the Ride On Bus Route 41 service schedule to improve on-time performance. The bus route connects Aspen Hill, Glenmont and Wheaton with stops in between. The new schedule is available at rideonbus.com and in print. This change is necessary to improve service reliability on Route 41.
Select Sunday Closures of Medical Center Bus Loop in Bethesda to Impact Ride On Bus Routes 34 and 46 Through Spring 2026
Due to Metrorail construction, the bus loop at the Medical Center Metro Station will be closed on select Sundays through Spring 2026, which will impact MCDOT’s Ride On Bus Routes 34 and 46. The next construction date will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12.
View additional dates and more information.
Ride On Bus Route 56 Detour Due to Construction at Edison Park Drive and Main Street in Gaithersburg
Due to construction at Edison Park Drive and Main Street in MCDOT’s Ride On Bus Route 56, from Lakeforest to Rockville, is currently experiencing a detour through late September. One bus stop on Parking Lot Drive will be bypassed.
View the detour maps.
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Open House on the Bowie Mill Road Bikeway Project to be Held on Tuesday, Sept. 16 in Derwood
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m., MCDOT will hold an open house to discuss the proposed Bowie Mill Road Bikeway. The open house will be held in-person at Sequoyah Elementary School located at 17301 Bowie Mill Road in Derwood.
MCDOT invites the public to attend in-person, learn about the project and provide feedback that may influence the final design. The project proposes constructing a shared use path along Bowie Mill Road from Muncaster Mill Road (MD115) to Olney-Laytonsville Road (MD108).
MCDOT is seeking public input in advance of the final design. This in-person Open House will provide the community with an opportunity to view the latest design plans, meet with MCDOT representatives, ask questions and provide feedback. There will be no formal presentation, and participants are encouraged to attend at their convenience.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and submit questions or comments via email to the Project Manager, Jean Kapusnick at Jean.Kapusnick@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Public Can Provide Feedback on Phase 2 of the US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit Route
US 29 Flash BRT is an upgraded, high-frequency transit service currently operating between Downtown Silver Spring and Briggs Chaney/Burtonsville via Colesville Road/Old Columbia Pike. The Phase 2 project will improve the existing US 29 Flash BRT service by building a dedicated bus lane between Sligo Creek Parkway and Tech Road. MCDOT has initiated work to complete preliminary engineering (35% design) for US 29 BRT Phase 2, which includes a recommended median bus lane.
For more information, view the Aug. 28 meeting presentation and visit the project website.
The public can provide written comments online regarding preliminary design of the planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities by Wednesday, Oct. 15 or via email after Oct. 15 at US29BRT@montgomerycountymd.gov. All information provided at the meeting will become a matter of public record. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final design of the project.
Six-Month Road Closure on Shiloh Church Road in Clarksburg
Around Tuesday, Sept. 9, MCDOT will implement a temporary road closure on Shiloh Church Road from West Old Baltimore Road to Conrad Spring Road (Boyds) that will last approximately six months.
MCDOT is implementing a new storm drain culvert along Shiloh Church Road in Clarksburg. This project will replace an existing culvert near the West Old Baltimore Road intersection, which is in poor condition. The new storm drain culvert will be in the exact location of the existing culvert.
A detour for the road is available around the work zone, marked with proper signage. Work will occur on weekdays between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays.
Three-Week Road Closure on Wasche Road in Dickerson Started Wednesday, Sept. 3
MCDOT implemented an emergency road closure on Wasche Road, from W. Hunter Road to Martinsburg Road in Dickerson. Local traffic will be maintained up to the closure at 19754 Wasche Road.
MCDOT is replacing failing twin cell corrugated metal pipes resulting in this temporary road closure that should last approximately three weeks.
Scheduled maintenance occurs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, excluding weekends and holidays. The detour is around the work zone and marked with proper signage.
Questions and comments about the above road closures can be sent to Yisa Adegun, MCDOT Project Manager, at Yisa.Adegun@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-876-5597.
Marc Elrich is Hosting Public County Budget Forums
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with regional services offices and community partners, will host "Community Conversations" from September through November to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Operating Budget.
The County is in the early stages of formulating the FY27 operating budget. County Executive Elrich is required to submit a recommended budget to the County Council by Monday, March 16, 2026. The Council will then have two months to review the budget. It must adopt a final budget no later than June 1. The FY27 operating budget will go into effect on July 1.
The next event will be held on Monday, Sept. 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown. Residents can participate virtually on MS Teams.
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Council Holds University Boulevard Corridor Plan Public Hearings
The University Boulevard Corridor Plan (UBC) builds on previous plans and policies, including the , and . The UBC Plan focuses on a three-mile stretch of University Boulevard (MD 193), between I-495 and Wheaton, with the aim to address community needs related to traffic safety, regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, corridor-focused growth and economic development. The plan explores opportunities for new development, bikeways and bus rapid transit (BRT), as well as the creation of a complete street with wider sidewalks, comfortable public transportation stops and safe access.
As the next step, the Planning Board's draft plan goes to the County Executive and County Council for review. The County Council will hold public hearings to get feedback and input from the public before holding work sessions.
Public hearings will be held both in person and virtually on Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring and Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Council Office Building in Rockville. Community members can sign up to provide their views at these upcoming public hearings.
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Metro Unveils Winning Design for New 8000-Series Rail Fleet
After more than 20,000 votes from customers throughout the region, WMATA announces the winning rail fleet design.
State Highway Administration Announces Funding for Safety Improvements on MD 97 in Montgomery County
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration has announced funding for long-awaited pedestrian, bicycle and roadway improvements along MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) in the Montgomery Hills area of Montgomery County. The department’s Draft Fiscal Year 2026 –2031 Consolidated Transportation Program allocates $50.8 million to fund all phases of the MD 97 project. Final design and utility relocations are underway, and construction is expected to begin in spring 2028.
Improvements along a 0.7-mile stretch of Georgia Avenue between Forest Glen Road north of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and 16th Street will enhance safety, connectivity and accessibility for all users. The project will provide key pedestrian and bicyclist connections from the Forest Glen Metro Station, ultimately linking with the future Purple Line light rail Woodside Station in Silver Spring.
What Is Happening With the Spring Street Bridge and Bethesda Purple Line Station?
Silver Spring's Spring Street Bridge, which is being rebuilt as part of the construction of Maryland’s light-rail Purple Line, is expected to reopen by the end of this year, according to Purple Line Senior Project Director Ray Biggs II.
At a Purple Line grant event on Friday, Aug. 8 in Takoma Park, Biggs shared updates on the Purple Line construction and confirmed that the project is still on track for a 2027 opening.
When completed, the 16-mile Purple Line will have 21 stations and connect riders to the Metro’s Red, Green and Orange lines as well as to MARC and Amtrak trains and bus services. The project, which is a public-private partnership, has faced numerous delays and cost increases since its inception in 2016.
Read the Bethesda Today article.
Maryland Considers Allowing E-Bikes on All State Trails
Popular e-bikes could soon be joining old-school bicycles and pedestrians on Maryland state bike trails.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is considering regulations that would allow pedal-assist electric bicycles on state bike trails.
Until now, all electric bikes have been regulated the same as motorized vehicles in parks and public lands — banned from traveling on trails, and restricted to roads and parking lots.
DNR is accepting public comments through Monday, Sept. 22, and will consider the feedback before adopting its final regulation. Comments may be mailed in writing to the Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 580 Taylor Ave C-4, Annapolis, MD 21401, emailed to outdoorrecreation.dnr@maryland.gov or submitted through this online comment form.
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For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.
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