 Montgomery County Completes Nation’s Largest Bus Microgrid and Charging Infrastructure Project in Silver SpringMontgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Jamie Raskin, County Council President Gabe Albornoz, Council Vice President Evan Glass, Federal, State and local officials and corporate partners including AlphaStruxure celebrated the completion of the Brookville Smart Energy Depot located at 8710 Brookville Road in Silver Spring with a ribbon-cutting event. The nation’s largest solar bus charging infrastructure project will supply clean energy to the MCDOT’s growing Ride On electric bus fleet. The project was completed through a partnership between the County’s Department of General Services (DGS) and AlphaStruxure, a leader in Energy as a Service (EaaS) solutions. It is the third microgrid in the U.S. that will use solar power to charge buses for public transportation. The first of its kind project will help move Montgomery County closer to meeting its goal of reducing GHG emissions to zero by 2035. This resilient microgrid will provide uninterrupted power to MCDOT’s Ride On transit electric buses. Transitioning 70 buses from diesel to electric, powered by the on-site clean energy microgrid, will reduce lifetime emissions by 62 percent equivalent to more than 160,000 tons of greenhouse gas reduction over the next 25 years. Learn more here and view event photos here. |
 MCDOT's Leaf Vacuum Collection Begins Monday, Nov. 7MCDOT will begin its annual leaf vacuuming program on Monday, Nov. 7, and will continue collections through December in specified leaf collection areas. There will be two collections on each collection district street. Residents can find the collection schedule online by entering a street address. The leaf vacuum collection district is bounded by I-495; I-270; the Rockville City limits; Norbeck, Bel Pre and Bonifant roads; Northwest Branch Park; and the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County lines. Before collection begins in a neighborhood, MCDOT will post signs along streets directing residents to the online leaf collection map for collection date information. Residents are asked to pile leaves near the street, but off the road. They should avoid placing leaves on road shoulders, bike lanes and rain gardens as leaves in these areas can disrupt traffic, negatively impact stormwater drainage, hamper snow removal operations and become a fire hazard for automobiles parked over them. Leaf piles also limit the availability of residential parking and, especially when wet, can pose a hazard for cyclists and pedestrians. Since 1983, the County has been composting the leaves it collects at a County-operated facility in Dickerson. The compost produces a fertilizer called Leafgro, which is sold in retail stores. Learn more here. |
 MCDOT Sponsors Free Electric Scooter Clinic for Those 18-and-Older Participants will be able to take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws. Those interested in e-scooters can stop in at any time during the clinic this Saturday, Nov. 5. 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Dr., Wheaton (back left parking lot). Participants must have a valid driver’s license or ID. No registration is required to attend a clinic and walk-ups are welcome. Check tinyurl.com/5n8adjaj for cancelations due to inclement weather. Learn more here. |
 Montgomery County High School Students Can Apply to MCDOT's ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors’ Program to Improve Traffic SafetyMCDOT is seeking up to 45 Montgomery County high school students to serve as “Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors.” The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, the importance of roadway design, law enforcement, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Applications are now being accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 30. Interested public, private and home-schooled high school students can learn about the program and apply here. The program received 100 applications last year. The program supports the County’s Vision Zero Initiative, whose goal is to eliminate traffic-related severe injuries and deaths. Youth Ambassadors have an opportunity to help the County work toward the goal by becoming road safety leaders in their communities while earning 40 Student Service Learning credit. Learn more here. |
 Ride On and Metro Bus Routes Available to Take Residents to Montgomery County's 14 Early Voting CentersToday, Thursday, Nov. 3, is the last day for early voting in Montgomery County for the 2022 Gubernatorial Primary and General Elections. Ride On bus routes are available for transportation to the 14 early voting centers from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. MCDOT Ride On bus service has several routes available to transport voters to the early voting centers located throughout the County. Learn more here. |
 Virtual Public Hearing on the Rehabilitation of the Brighton Dam Rd. Bridge in Brookeville to be Held on Wednesday, Nov. 30 On Wednesday, Nov. 30 starting at 7 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed construction to rehabilitate the Brighton Dam Road, Bridge No. M-0229, over Brighton Dam. At the virtual hearing, MCDOT will present the project details, costs and schedules and obtain public testimony. The 602-foot long 15-span bridge is in need of repairs to the concrete parapets, bridge deck joints, prestressed concrete beams, concrete abutment backwalls, streetlights, asphalt approach roadways and concrete sidewalks to enhance the safety of the traveling public and the integrity of the dam. Public input is encouraged and may influence final design plans. |
 Virtual Public Hearing on Old Baltimore Road Sidewalk Proposal in Olney to be Held on Wednesday, Nov. 9 On Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed construction of a sidewalk on Old Baltimore Road from Menden Farm Drive to the path at the lake. At the virtual hearing, MCDOT will present the project details, costs, schedules and obtain public testimony. If approved, the completed project will enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists as they travel to nearby schools and facilities. Public input is encouraged and will influence whether MCDOT constructs any, all or a portion of the proposed sidewalks. Online registration is required to attend. Learn more here. |
 As Daylight Saving Time Ends this Weekend, MCDOT Promotes Pedestrian Safety The end of Daylight Savings Time begins overnight this Sunday, Nov. 6 and clocks will need to be turned back one hour. Getting darker earlier raises safety risks for pedestrians and bicyclists. As the days become shorter, with less daylight, it's important that drivers take extra caution while commuting during morning and evening rush hours, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic. To address the changing conditions, MCDOT urges residents to look out for each other and obey the rules of the road. Safety tips: - Drivers, reduce speed, turn on headlights earlier and be alert.
- Drivers, never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see them.
- Drivers, slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
- Drivers, never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see them.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Pedestrians, use sidewalks and signals if they are available. If there are no sidewalks, walk against traffic and wear reflective clothing and/or carry a flashlight.
- Pedestrians, watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
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 The State’s Deadline for Civil Penalty Waiver for Outstanding Video Tolls Ends Wednesday, Nov. 30Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) customers are reminded that the Customer Assistance Plan offering a civil penalty waiver grace period for Video Tolls will expire after 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. The MDTA Board approved the nine-month Customer Assistance Plan in February. Since then, for every video toll transaction paid in full while the plan is in place, the corresponding civil penalty is waived. In addition, toll bill referrals to Central Collection Unit and the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration have ceased until Thursday, Dec. 1. With time running out, the MDTA encourages customers to check their account here and pay their tolls before the opportunity for a civil penalty waiver ends at 11:59 p.m. November 30. |
METRO UPDATES Get Ready to Ride the Silver Line, Six New Stations Opening Tuesday, Nov. 15 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will connect Metrorail customers to Washington Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County for the first time. The announcement came from Metro Board Members and employees in a video touting “We’re Ready,” marking the opening for customers and culmination of the largest expansion of Metrorail since the system’s inception. On opening day, customers who visit the six new Silver Line stations - Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway, and Ashburn – will be greeted by Metro teams handing out commemorative pennants, a Metro tradition that started when the first station opened in 1976. Metro Exploring Short-Term Fare Hikes and Long-Term Fare Overhauls Looking to navigate both short and long-term budget crunches, Metro’s board heard a variety of fare and service concepts to help meet those budget gaps. The transit agency is grappling with what service will look like after the pandemic reshaped ridership and many workers are now staying home instead of taking the train or bus to work. In the short term, Metro is exploring ways to increase revenue by raising Metrorail prices anywhere from 5 to 25%. Read the DCIST article here. Metro Begins Fare Enforcement On Tuesday, Nov. 1, Metro Transit Police officers began issuing fare evasion citations, following a monthlong awareness and warning campaign. Citations with associated fines may be issued to anyone jumping fare gates, improperly using emergency gates, or not tapping fare boxes on Metrobuses. Fare evasion is responsible for significant revenue losses and is part of the focus to close a shortfall of nearly $185 million in the upcoming budget. Using data from Metrobus and pre-pandemic industry averages for Metrorail, Metro estimates revenue losses due to fare evasion totaling tens of millions of dollars in fiscal year 2022. Georgia Avenue Bus Lanes Public Information Meeting Was Held on Tuesday, Nov. 1 In partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) and Montgomery County, WMATA is designing a quick-build bus lanes demonstration project to improve bus reliability and speeds in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Tactical Bus Lane (TBL) Demonstration Project aims to implement one-mile tactical bus lanes in both directions along the high-ridership corridor of Georgia Avenue (MD 97), between Wayne Avenue and 16th Street, and evaluate changes in speed and reliability for all vehicles prior to permanent installation. WMATA held the online session on Tuesday, Nov. 1. WMATA has closed some bus shelters at the Rockville Metrorail Station for the installation of shelter replacements. Ride On and WMATA bus locations will be temporarily moved closer to Rockville Pike/355 to maintain access. Closures and temporary bus locations are posted here. Glenmont Metrorail Station Phase 2 of Bus Bay Relocations to Begin Monday, Nov. 21 Starting Monday, Nov. 21, bus Bays C and D will be closed for Phase 2 of the glass canopy replacement project through mid-January 2023. Alternative bus bay locations will be: - Metrobus Routes Y2 (Silver Spring), Y7 (Silver Spring), and Y8 (Silver Spring) normally at Bus Bay D will be relocated to Bus Bay E
- Metrobus Route C8 (College Park and North Bethesda) normally at Bus Bays E & F will be relocated to bus bay H.
- Metro Access and Metrobus Shuttle will be available at Bus Bay E
- Ride On Route 10 (Hillandale and Twinbrook) normally at Bus Bay F will be relocated to Bus Bay E
- Ride On Routes 31 (Wheaton) and 49 (Rockville) normally at Bus Bay C will be relocated to Bus Bay F
View the map here Wheaton Metrorail Station Phase 2 of Temporary Bus Bay Relocations to Start on Monday, Nov. 21 Starting Monday, Nov. 21, and lasting for approximately five weeks, sections of the bus loop at the Wheaton Metro Station will be closed for pavement rehabilitation. During Phase 2, Bus Bays F, G, H, J, and K will be closed. View the map here. Metro Greenlighted to Return More Trains to Service The revised railcar return to service plan allows Metro to place more 7Ks into passenger service. The increased availability of 7Ks will support opening the Silver Line extension before Thanksgiving and reduce crowding on the Red Line. The plan identifies specific timeframes and well-defined steps for Metro to return all trains for safe, reliable passenger service. Learn more here. |
ROAD PROJECTS AND CLOSURES  MCDOT Begins Signal Modifications and Pedestrian Improvement Projects in North Bethesda MCDOT has begun traffic signal modifications and improvements to pedestrian amenities to improve pedestrian safety on Tilden Lane and Nicholson Lane along Old Georgetown Road by adding accessible pedestrian signals and installing sidewalks, sidewalk ramps and crosswalks. Work will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. The project will be completed by the end of December. The construction zone will be within the existing public right-of-way. The area will be graded and restored to its original condition after construction is complete. The road will remain open to traffic during construction and traffic impacts are expected to be minimal. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Project Manager, Devang Dave at 240-777-2190 or devang.dave@montgomerycountymd.gov. A Portion of Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda is Closed Through Monday, Nov. 28 Verizon work will close the southbound lane of Edgemoor Lane near Commerce Lane and Old Georgetown Road from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays. A contractor, Baseman Utility Consulting Services, will be preforming the work for Verizon. Night work is required to minimize traffic congestion due to existing construction activities during daytime hours, pedestrian safety concerns, and impacts to local businesses. Drivers and pedestrians should travel undistracted through the work zone and be aware of changing vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns.
For questions contact Gregory Baseman at 443-244-0882. DC DOT Closes a Portion of Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda On Saturday, Nov. 5, the DC Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Open Streets event will take place in the District of Columbia. Wisconsin Avenue from Western Avenue to Tenley Circle, NW will be closed to vehicular traffic between 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Emergency No Parking between 2 a.m. - 2 p.m. Residents will be able to access their homes if they live east or west of Wisconsin Avenue by using alternative routes other than Wisconsin Avenue. For timely traffic information, visit twitter.com/DCPoliceTraffic. MDOT's Major State Road Construction and Lane Closures The following Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) projects have planned lane closures: MDOT SHA Begins Safety and Resurfacing Project at the Olney Shopping Center As part of the MD 108 Safety and Resurfacing project, MDOT SHA is doing concrete and asphalt work during the weekdays from sunrise to sunset at the Olney Shopping Center located at 3414-3484 Olney Laytonsville Road in Olney. Construction will impact shopping center parking and store deliveries may be directed to alternate plaza entrances and exits through mid-November. For questions contact David Coleman, MDOT SHA Project Engineer, at 202-924-6994. |
 Here’s Where We Really Need Microgrids in the USIf you’re wondering why interest in microgrids is growing at a rapid clip, look no further than a new report “Billion Dollar Losses, Trillion Dollar Threats: The Cost of Climate Change.” Published by PSE Healthy Energy, a nonprofit policy research institute, and Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a nonprofit economic and environmental group, the report offers a state-by-state analysis of the cost of disasters, including hurricanes, storms, drought, flooding, wildfires and extreme freezes. Read the MicroGridKnowledge.com article here. |
 Inflation Reduction Act and Microgrids Resource PageIn August, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The law establishes a 30% tax credit through 2032 for the technologies used within microgrids, including solar, energy storage and microgrid controllers. It’s expected that the IRA will significantly reduce the cost of microgrids and drive rapid growth in the industry. Read the Microgrideknowledge.com article here. |
 New EV Charging Station Infrastructure Begins Next Year The District, Maryland and Virginia are getting $186 million in federal funding to improve electric vehicle infrastructure as part of a $5 billion nationwide program. Hundreds of new electric vehicle charging stations will open as soon as next year along highways in the greater Washington region and nationwide as part of a multibillion-dollar plan to deploy fast-charging systems for a growing fleet of electric cars. The District, Maryland and Virginia are launching plans to add fast-charging ports along major corridors, including interstates 95, 66, 270 and 295, using $186 million allocated to the region in federal infrastructure money. Read the Washington Post article here. |
 The Federal Highway Administration Releases Guidance to Reduce Traffic FatalitiesThe Federal Highway Administration recently released guidance to help states address roadway deaths as part of the National Roadway Safety Strategy. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the assessment identifies areas of high risk to vulnerable road users and determines safety improvements that would mitigate safety risks. Read the Transportation Today article here. |
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