Go Montgomery! Special Edition Newsletter: Celebrating Women's Leadership in Transit

 

Celebrating Women's Leadership in Transit Meet the women whose leadership drives our communities forward and shapes the future of public transportation. DEANNA ARCHEY 21 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transit Services, Chief, Planning and Implementation Since beginning my career in transportation in 1988, I’ve been shaped by diverse experiences gained across multiple agencies primarily on the East Coast. What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to provide essential services to those who need them most while helping to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility for the broader community. Over the past three years, two accomplishments I’m especially proud of are launching Phase 1 of the Great Seneca Transit Network (GSTN) and completing the Ride On Reimagined comprehensive network redesign, both of which significantly advance our region’s transportation future. ZOULI BEREDDAD 3 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Project Executive Director (Contractor) My decision to pursue engineering was influenced by a deep personal curiosity and a passion for making a significant impact. I aspire to contribute to the creation of enduring, safe infrastructure that empowers and uplifts communities. The most rewarding aspect of my job is witnessing my work come to life, evolving from initial concepts into impactful infrastructure projects. I find great joy in mentoring young engineers, sharing knowledge to inspire the next generation of innovators. Currently, I am serving as the Executive Director for two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects in Montgomery County. The Veirs Mill Road BRT project is currently under construction, while the MD 355 BRT project is progressing through the preliminary design phase. Additionally, I recently worked on the Purple Line Light Rail project in Maryland. PHILAISHA CARTER 8 Years of Service MCDOT Ride On Safety and Training Instructor I have been with MCDOT for nearly eight years, and today I’m proud to serve as a Safety & Training Instructor for Ride On. I began my career as a bus operator at the Gaithersburg Depot and, after three years on the road, was promoted to Safety and Training Instructor in 2021. For the past five years, I’ve helped new operators build confidence and launch meaningful careers, and each time we celebrate a new bus operator graduation, it’s rewarding to know I played a part in their success. The most fulfilling part of my job is guiding trainees through each stage of their learning until everything finally comes together. Whether we are on the training track, in the classroom, or out on the road, I stay by their side until they can perform every skill with confidence. I was inspired to become an instructor by a former supervisor who demonstrated what true guidance looks like. He was knowledgeable, effective, and genuinely passionate about helping others. His example motivated me to support trainees with that same level of dedication. My message to women considering a career in transit is to stay true to your integrity, work hard, and learn everything you can. There is real growth and opportunity waiting at MCDOT! CHRISTINA CONTRERAS 28 Years of Service MCDOT Director’s Office, Strategic Projects Implementation Manager My career has been shaped by several significant influences. Foremost among them was my father, who encouraged me to pursue the engineering profession and planted the seed to my future career path. Early in my career, I also benefited from guidance within a private, family-oriented engineering firm where mentors recognized and supported my developing interest in civil engineering and encouraged me to continue pursuit of my degree in Civil Engineering and ultimately my Professional Engineering Licensure. Additionally, my current and several of my former County supervisors consistently promoted my professional growth by encouraging continuous opportunity and advancement in both my technical capabilities and overall career development. I am responsible for advancing several critical County funded capital projects as part of the Purple Line construction, including the Capital Crescent Trail, the Bethesda South Metro Entrance, and the Silver Spring Green Trail. My work on the Purple Line includes serving as the primary day to day construction liaison for MCDOT and the County, coordinating with a multidisciplinary project team and numerous partner agencies and stakeholders. This effort supports the delivery of a vital transit corridor designed to connect diverse communities and enhance mobility along the 16.2 mile corridor between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George’s County also providing connectivity to four major WMATA Metro Stations. I have more than 35 years of civil engineering experience spanning both private sector development and public sector capital project delivery. I have supported the planning and conceptual development of a future transit center to enhance multimodal connectivity within the County. I have also led and contributed to multiple competitive grant applications aimed at securing federal and state funding to advance critical transportation infrastructure, including efforts to support construction of a new entrance to the WMATA Red Line. MARICELA CORDOVA 6 Years of Service MCDOT Director's Office, Special Assistant to the Director, Strategic Projects I am an executive with 30 years of experience in the delivery of innovative architectural, engineering and construction programs for federal, local and private clients in the U.S. and Latin America ranging from $5 million to over $9 billion dollars. I currently serve as MCDOT’s Special Assistant to the Director and am responsible for the planning, oversight, executive leadership, and implementation of critical priority transportation and transit projects. This includes overall contract management of the P3 Design-Build Purple Line light rail project for the County, development of the County’s Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan, planning for a new zero-emissions bus depot, project management of a new Transit Center project in support of the MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, and the implementation of the North Bethesda North Metro Entrance project as the key stone of a new transit-oriented development. I provide executive oversight of strategic projects such as the County’s more than 100 stops along eight routes BRT system in different stages of planning, design and construction through various contract methodologies. I was honored to have recently been appointed and commissioned as a member of the Maryland Transportation Authority by the Governor of Maryland. The most rewarding aspect of my career has been helping bridge the gap between our regional transportation systems and the diverse communities we serve, particularly through addressing bilingual needs and culturally responsive outreach. PAM DESTINO 14 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Project Manager (Contractor) From a young age, I knew I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps to become a civil engineer. After graduating from Virginia Tech, I went on to obtain my Professional Engineer’s license while working as a consultant on transit and transportation improvement projects for various government agencies throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The best part of my job is when our projects are implemented, and open to the public. My first experience driving on a roadway I provided design and construction services for was an incredible experience. The real thrill is to see something you create help improve people’s lives. The Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit project will have a similar effect, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be working on it with the County for the past few years. It is exciting to see construction beginning along the corridor and seeing that vision realized. LATIKA OCHIENG 18 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transit Services (Ride On), Depot Chief, Silver Spring Depot I began my career with the County in 2007 as a Transit Bus Operator, driven by a desire to build a better life for my family and a passion for serving my community. I took pride in connecting with people from all walks of life and knowing that my work made a real difference in their daily lives. As I advanced to Transit Training Instructor, I had the privilege of teaching new operators the skills they needed to succeed—helping them not only build confidence behind the wheel but also improve their quality of life. Later, as a Transit Operations Supervisor, I served as a trusted resource and mentor for bus operators, contributing to a stronger, more cohesive operations team. Over the years, I’ve gained valuable insight, grown as a leader, and deepened my commitment to public service. The most rewarding part of my career has been witnessing the positive impact of my efforts—seeing colleagues develop, thrive, and reach their goals while building meaningful relationships along the way. A few accomplishments I’m especially proud of include serving as a founding member of the first Ride On Bus Roadeo Committee, leading the Blue Book Committee to revise and update our Standard Operating Procedures for greater consistency and efficiency, and making history as the first Woman of Color to serve as Depot Chief in the history of Ride On. HALEY PECKETT 2 Years of Service MCDOT Director’s Office, Deputy Director, Transportation Policy and Planning I grew up in a very car-centric Central Florida, where I watched orange groves dismally turn into car dealerships and strip malls. I learned that urban planning is a way to envision and create the communities that reflect our values, as opposed to indiscriminately paving over our natural spaces. Working across federal, state, and local government, what I love most is working with people who are passionate about a place and helping translate their ideas into plans, funding, and projects. My role at MCDOT is often to be a connector, so I’m always thinking about where we have shared interests with other agencies or individuals across the state and region. In the short time I’ve been at the County, we’ve gone from less than a mile of bus lanes to more than 12 lane miles, made huge strides in five Bus Rapid Transit projects, passed legislation to allow automated bus lane enforcement in Maryland, set up a partnership with MCPD and WMATA, and passed a major regional initiative to prioritize transit funding. With so many advances at one time, my job is to keep up internal and external momentum, while coordinating between all of the partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders to make sure that our transit successes build upon each other. DEWA SALIHI 18 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Construction Section Chief Having fled Afghanistan as a baby with my family, I grew up witnessing the systematic dissolution of my homeland, including its infrastructure. Growing up I wanted to pursue a career that would enable me to help rebuild the destruction left behind by war. This sparked my interest in civil engineering and led to my career with MCDOT. The best part of my job is working through challenges and seeing my team’s hard work come to fruition. I am especially proud of two key projects: White Flint West and the Great Seneca Transit Network project. Both projects improved connectivity within the County. I am proud to be MCDOT’s first female Construction Chief.   For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.

MCDOT’s August Go Montgomery! Newsletter - MCDOT Installs Real-Time Bus Arrival Displays to Select Ride On Bus Stops

 

Real-Time Bus Arrival Displays Coming to Select Montgomery County Ride On Bus Stops MCDOT is installing real-time bus arrival displays at high-ridership bus stops and transit centers across the County.    The technology, referred to as ePaper and supplied by Connectpoint, is a digital display presenting real-time bus arrival information with an audio readout and text-to-speech button known as Falcon. MCDOT is currently implementing the screens at 100 bus stops across the County.  The real-time information displays will be installed in high-ridership bus stops and transit centers in Bethesda, Germantown, Rockville, Shady Grove, Silver Spring and Twinbrook. MCDOT expects to add more ePaper displays to high-ridership bus stops over the next few years.  MCDOT Ride On was recognized as a 2025 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award winner for the implementation of the ePaper real time displays. View the NBC 4 video to learn more. MCDOT Celebrates the Completion of New Pedestrian Bridge in Silver Spring Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Evan Glass and MCDOT staff joined members of the Kemp Mill Civic Association on Thursday, Aug. 7, for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of a new pedestrian bridge in the Kemp Mill area of Silver Spring.  MCDOT designed and constructed the pedestrian bridge, 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.  Completed in June, the pedestrian bridge will allow an easier crossing over the embankment that had been getting steeper.   Members of the Kemp Mill Civic Association advocated for the bridge project and added a memorial at the foot of the bridge for their late neighbor, Nicki Toys. The memorial will allow her children and friends to visit and remember the positive impact she had on their lives. Niki's late husband, Aaron Toys, and two of her three children were present at the event and took part in cutting the ribbon on the bridge.  US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) In-Person Public Meeting to Be Held in Silver Spring on Thursday, Aug. 28 MCDOT is hosting a meeting in two parts starting at 6 p.m. The first hour will be a public meeting focused on bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The topics, presentation and interactive feedback activities will be the same as the June 10 meeting. The second hour will be the Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting, which will focus on the preliminary design of the Flash BRT facilities on the corridor. The public is encouraged to attend both portions of the meeting that will be held at the Four Corners Ethiopian Evangelical Church located at 33 University Boulevard East, Silver Spring. A Spanish interpreter will be on-site.  The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via email to US29BRT@montgomerycountymd.gov by 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 25. Written comments carry the same weight as oral comments. All information provided will become a matter of public record. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final design of the project.   Montgomery County Officials Remind Residents of School Bus, School Zone Laws as Students Return to School on Tuesday, August, 26  With nearly 160,000 students heading to 211 schools on Tuesday, Aug. 26, MCDOT and the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) ask residents to plan extra travel time and be alert to school buses and children traveling to and from school. The MCPD Central Traffic Unit will be across the County focusing on dangerous driving behaviors around school zones. The Automated Traffic Enforcement Unit will place speed cameras in and around schools with all school buses equipped with cameras to catch and fine drivers illegally passing stopped school buses. Drivers in Maryland must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when the stop arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing. Drivers may not pass the bus from any direction until the stop signals are off and the bus is moving again. Motorists are not required to stop if the road is separated by a physical median such as dirt, grass or a barrier. Infractions captured by school bus cameras carry a penalty of $250 for each violation. Violators who are stopped by a police officer face a fine of up to $570 and three points on their driver’s license. MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School program works to encourage and enable children to walk and bicycle to school safely through education, outreach and building safe infrastructure around schools. MCDOT is conducting walk audits at each County school. The projects include building safer walking paths and adding safer street crossings, with 15 projects completed last year. The studies make recommendations for improved crossings and fill sidewalk gaps. Population Boom of Spotted Lanternflies Expected in Montgomery County Montgomery County residents should prepare for a boom in the spotted lanternfly population over the next three to five years. The invasive species, native to Southeast Asia, was first detected in the United States in eastern Pennsylvania in September 2014, and spread to Cecil County, Maryland, in October 2018. The insects were first spotted in Montgomery County in 2022 and have grown in population ever since. MCDOT officials reassure residents that although the insects are a nuisance, they are not considered harmful. The spotted lanternflies feed from the sap of trees, but MCDOT officials say there is no cause for concern about long-term damage. Additionally, they do not sting or bite and they contain no known toxins so they should not harm any pets that try to eat them. MCDOT encourages residents to learn how to recognize and safely dispose of spotted lanternfly egg masses. The insects lay their eggs starting in late summer and into early winter, so residents should be on the lookout. Spotted lanternflies lay their eggs in columns covered in gray putty. The columns can be an inch and a half or longer and can appear on trees, stones, or other flat surfaces. Residents should scrape the egg masses into a sealed bag and then smash them before disposing.  For more information on spotted lanternflies, visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture spotted lanternfly resource page.  Registration is Open for MCDOT Sponsored Learn to Ride Adult Bike Classes in September 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 following bike classes will run from 9 a.m. to noon on: Saturday, Sept. 7 (rain date 9/21) Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot) 7101 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda Saturday, Sept. 13 (rain date 9/27) Davis Construction at Twinbrook Metro Center I 12530 Parklawn Drive, Rockville. Sunday, Sept. 21 (rain date 10/15) Upper County Recreation Center 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg. Saturday, Sept. 27 (rain date 10/11) White Oak Community Recreation Center 1700 April Lane, White Oak. Register for the above classes at waba.org/classes/#learntoride. Maryland Sales Tax 7-Day Holiday Sales tax will be waived on certain items during Maryland's weeklong sales tax holiday running from Aug. 10-16.  Take the Ride On bus for your shopping trip.  Below is a list of Ride On bus routes that run to/from the following shopping centers: Bethesda's Westfield Montgomery Mall: Routes 6, 26, 42, 47 and 96. Gaithersburg Rio: Routes 54, 74 and Lime extRa. Gaithersburg Square: Routes 54, 55, 59 and 61. Rockville Town Square: Route 45.  Westfield Wheaton Mall: Routes 4, 7, 8, 9, 34, 37, 38 and 48.  Montgomery County Vision Zero Steering Committee 2026 Work Plan Highlights New Safety Projects and Enforcement Initiatives The Montgomery County Vision Zero Steering Committee released its Fiscal Year 2026 Work Plan detailing the safety projects, campaigns and initiatives scheduled for the 2026 fiscal year running from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Vision Zero is a strategy aimed at eliminating all serious injuries and fatalities on County roadways. Each year, the Steering Committee updates its Work Plan to further the Vision Zero 2030 Action Plan and continue making the roads safer for everyone. The Vision Zero Work Plan advances projects listed on the High Injury Network (HIN). These roadways were identified as the areas at the highest risk for serious injuries and fatalities. View the Vison Zero press release. Montgomery County Council to Hold Public Hearing on Leasing of Space for EV Charging at Seminary Road Parking Lot 12 and the Colesville Commuter Lot 14 in Silver Spring on Tuesday, Sept. 9 The County Council will hold a public hearing to receive testimony on the leasing EV charging sites at MCDOT's Seminary Road Parking Lot 12 and Colesville Commuter Parking Lot on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m. The deadline to sign up to speak is Monday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. MCDOT and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plan to enter into a 10-year lease agreement with a private entity, Francis Energy, to install and operate DC fast charge EV stations at two County-owned sites: Public Parking Lot 12, located at 1920 Seminary Road in Silver Spring and at the Colesville Commuter Lot located at 13504 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. Francis Energy will install, operate, and maintain the EV charging equipment (at no cost to the County) at the two proposed EV charging sites. The County will be compensated the greater of: (i) $3,500 per year or (ii) 2.5% of the gross revenue collected from the sale of electricity from the charging stations to electric vehicle customers. The EV charging station infrastructure will be open to the public. Both Parking Lots are currently underutilized, generating minimal annual revenue. MCDOT is seeking to lease fourteen (14) existing public parking spaces, or approximately 2,150 square feet, as part of an effort to expand EV Charging Stations in the County. In exchange for the parking spaces, the vendor will provide EV Charging Station infrastructure that will be open to the public. For more information see the Council resolution here. Rustic Roads Advisory Committee Accepting Applications Through Wednesday, Sept. 3 County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee for several seats. The committee is seeking one member who knows roadway engineering through practical experience and training; one public at-large member who is a frequent user of rustic roads; and one local farmer who is an operator of commercial farmland earning 50 percent or more of their income from direct involvement in commodity farming. Rustic Roads are classified as rural roads and are historic and scenic roadways in an area where natural, agricultural or historic features are predominant. Most Rustic Roads are narrow, follow historic alignments and are considered low volume roads intended primarily for local or agricultural use. There are 112 Rustic Roads in Montgomery County that are preserved and maintained by MCDOT. REGIONAL NEWS Public Invited to Free Family Bike Festival in Rockville on Sunday, Sept 14 The Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) is hosting the first-ever Montgomery County Family Bike Festival, which will be held at the Rockville Town Center in Downtown Rockville from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Attendees can take a test ride on an electric or cargo bike, participate in bike decorating and a parade, learn bike safety checks by Rockville Bike Hub and there will be free kids bike helmets and bike light giveaways, while supplies last. Visit vendor tables and get useful resources and information from State, County and City agencies. Get tickets for free on the WABA website. For those interested in being a vendor or volunteering contact Peter Gray by email at peter@waba.org. Reminder: New Capital Bikeshare Pricing Went into Effect on Friday, Aug. 1 The annual membership fee was went from $95 to $120 a year, the 30-day pass price went from $20 to $25 and the Day pass price went from $8 to $10. Capital Bikeshare has experienced unprecedented ridership, that has impacted operational and management costs. Learn more about these changes, the reasons behind them, and how they may affect your ride. WMATA Temporarily Relocates Twinbrook Metro Station Bus Loop As of Sunday, July 27, Metro rehabilitated the surface parking lots and the East Bus Loop at the Twinbrook Station Metro Station to enhance safety. During this work, customers will see a reduction in parking availability by 15%. To support this work, Metro also temporarily relocated the bus loop at Twinbrook Metro Station. All buses were relocated from the current East Bus Loop to Chapman Avenue at the lot by the parking garage. Riders should follow posted signage and allow extra time when navigating the new layout. Closure of Medical Center Bus Loop in Bethesda to Impact Ride On Bus Routes 34 and 46 on Select Sundays 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 Ride On Bus Routes 34 and 46. Learn more and view the detour map. MCPD Traffic Task Force Wraps Up Summer Patrol The combined forces of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPDs) Alcohol Initiatives Unit and the Maryland Alcohol Enforcement Section and other law enforcement agencies wrapped up their 10th and final week of patrol efforts across the county. Since the Task Force began this summer it has accumulated 134 DUIs, 956 traffic stops, 1,222 citations, and 1331 warnings. Other infractions include 86 equipment repair orders, 26 criminal alcohol-related citations and 47 Breathalyzer tests. These numbers reflect the actions taken by the Task Force and do not include those made by patrol officers. The total of DUI arrests across the county is higher. Proposed Legislation Would Prohibit Standing, Stopping or Parking in Bikeways Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass has introduced legislation that prohibits standing, stopping or parking vehicles in bikeways. Councilmembers Natali Fani-González, Andrew Friedson, and Dawn Luedtke are co-sponsors of the bill. Through June 2025, Montgomery County has had 59 cyclist-involved crashes and one fatality. The legislation reinforces the county’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and aligns with existing practices in jurisdictions like the City of Rockville, Washington, D.C. and Howard County, which already prohibit parking in bike lanes. Bill 28-25, Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Parking in Bikeways - Prohibited is scheduled for a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the County Council chambers located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. The meeting will also be available via Zoom. Residents can sign up to testify or submit written testimony online via the Council’s website by 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29. The Council Agenda is now available online.   The EV Tax Credit Ends on Tuesday, Sept. 30 - What You Need To Know On Friday, July 4, President Trump signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" which repealed and revised many tax credits for clean energy technologies, including the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit. But don't worry! If you've recently purchased or have been dreaming about an EV, you can still claim the tax credit if you take delivery of the vehicle on or before Tuesday, Sept. 30.  New Data Map Shows Higher Flood Risks for Roads and Transit Networks in the Region From Silver Spring in Maryland to the Bloomingdale neighborhood in the District and areas around the Pentagon, flash floods are creating more headaches — and more risk to transportation networks in the region. Read the WTOP article. 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.  AUGUST 14, 2025 JOIN OUR TEAM! MCDOT is hiring for the following positions: Engineer III, Grade 25 Traffic Management Technician I/II, Grade 15/19 Overhead Transportation System Technician I/II, Grade 14/18 Capital Projects Manager – Transit Delivery, Grade 28 For other county openings, benefit information and career resources, visit Montgomery County's Career website. MCDOT EVENTS Visit MCDOT at Montgomery County's Agriculture Fair in Gaithersburg, Aug. 9 - 17 MCDOT will be staffing a booth near the grandstand every day between 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.   Save $20 on fair parking by taking the Ride On bus. View the nearest Ride On bus stops and routes using the Ride On Trip Planner App. For information on the upcoming fair visit mcagfair.com. Follow @MCDOTNow for fair activity on X, Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram. MCPS Back-to-School Fair at Westfield Wheaton Mall, Saturday, Aug. 23 On Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the MCDOT Pedestrian Safety Team will participate in the Montgomery County Public School’s Back to School Fair at Westfield Wheaton Mall located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road. Attendees can also stop by the Flash booth to learn more about the Flash Bus Rapid Transit network. Free shuttles will be provided from Blair, Kennedy, Wheaton, Paint Branch and Richard Montgomery high schools.  Save the Date for MCDOT’s Bike Donation Drive on Friday, Oct. 3 in Rockville MCDOT staff will collect donated child and adult bikes and parts (no bike helmets) on Friday, Oct. 3 between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. outside the Council Office Building parking garage located at the corner of East Jefferson and Monroe streets in Rockville. Bicycles should be in good working condition or need 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 the Rockville Terrific Kids program.   Transportation Schedule for the Labor Day Holiday, Monday, Sept. 1 MCDOT Offices - Closed. Ride On bus - Sunday schedule.  Ride On extRa Pink & Lime bus - Sunday schedule. Ride On Flex and extRa 101 bus - Not in service. Flash bus (Orange Line) - Weekend/Holiday schedule. TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center - Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store - Closed. Public parking lots and garages - Free. If you are celebrating with alcohol make safe transportation arrangements ahead of time. The County’s Vision Zero effort to prevent death and injury on Montgomery County roadways offers a listing of local safe rides online.   MCDOT Hosts Free Electric Scooter Class for Adults on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Bethesda Participants can take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic e-scooter laws. No registration needed, drop by anytime between 12-2 p.m. at the Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot) located at 7101 Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda (rain date is 9/21). Scooters will be provided free of charge. Individuals must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license or ID. MCDOT Updates Payment System for the Fenton Street Village Public Parking Garage in Silver Spring Starting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Fenton Street Village Public Garage (Garage 4) located at 8110 Fenton Street will be converted from single-space meters to a Pay-by-Plate system where customers can pay using on-site kiosks or via the Parkmobile and Passport apps. Ride On Bus Service Change to Route 41 Begins Sunday, Sept. 7 MCDOT will slightly adjust the Ride On Bus Route 41 service schedule on Sunday, Sept. 7, to improve on-time performance. The bus route connects Aspen Hill, Glenmont and Wheaton with stops in between. For more information on Ride On routes and services, visit RideOnBus.com. Turn Around Don't Drown Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Learn more and view a list of roads that are at high risk for flooding on the Montgomery County flooding website. Subscribe to Alert Montgomery to receive emergency alerts directly to your mobile devices. MCDOT MAINTAINING THE INFRASTRUCTURE MCDOT Concludes Annual Street Sweeping Program MCDOT’s annual Street Sweeping Program swept over 4,218 residential roadways and intersections, removing nearly 750 tons of debris. This effort promotes the health of our local watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay. Repairs Completed on Brink Road Bridge in Gaithersburg MCDOT completed work on the Brink Road Bridge project which crosses over Seneca Creek in Gaithersburg.  Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter Repair/Replacement Project This fall, MCDOT will begin the replacement of damaged curb and gutters on Montgomery Village Avenue and Watkins Mill Road in Gaithersburg and Broadbirch Drive in Silver Spring. View additional project locations on the program website. Quince Orchard Valley Neighborhood Permanent Patching Project Update MCDOT crews have patched 70% of the Quince Orchard Valley subdivision in Gaithersburg. Paving will follow. Crews completed paving on Horns Point Drive, Morning Light Terrace and Bayswater Road on Thursday, Aug. 7. MCDOT's Permanent Patching Program includes milling, repair, patching and revitalization of residential roadways.  Fall Cleaning of Montgomery County Public Parking Garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton in September MCDOT will begin its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. The cleanings will occur on nights and weekends, starting with Bethesda garages and concluding in Silver Spring garages on Monday, Nov. 11. Some garages, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps, will experience partial closures. View the washdown schedule. MCDOT performs spring and fall washdowns to keep garages clean and help keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Contact MC311 Want information about County programs and services, report a pothole, streetlight outage or other issue?  Contact Montgomery County’s Customer Service Center (MC311) by calling 311 (or 240-777-0311) or visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/ 311. Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.