Tuesday, September 23, 2014
State Releases Purple Line Request for Proposals
The Maryland Department of Transportation/Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT/MTA) has announced it is seeking a private-sector team to design, build, construct, finance, operate and maintain the Purple Line during a 35-year contract term. In the two-step procurement process, firms that previously submitted qualifications have been narrowed down to four teams who are now eligible to submit proposals that are due on January 9, 2015.
The Purple Line is a 16-mile light rail line that will run east/west inside the Capital Beltway between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. Twenty-one stations are planned to provide direct connections to Metrorail’s Orange Line, Green Line and two branches of the Red Line, and the MARC Brunswick, Camden and Penn lines. Estimated ridership by 2040 is expected to be more than 74,000 people a day.
Following RFP proposal submissions, MDOT/MTA will select a preferred partner in Spring 2015 and recommend the final agreement to the Board of Public Works for its review and approval. Construction of the new Purple Line could then start in 2015.
(Source: MDOT)
Montgomery County Participates in Annual Walk and Ride Event
The second annual Walk and Ride event was held this month for employees who work at businesses in one of the County’s five Transportation Management Districts (TMD). Employees were challenged to replace part of their daily commute and lost hours stuck in traffic with a healthy walk connecting them to transit and/or work. The TMDs are in Bethesda, Friendship Heights, North Bethesda, Greater Shady Grove and Silver Spring.
Three to five member teams receive pedometers to track the number of steps taken and results are logged online. Prizes are awarded weekly, with grand prizes presented to winning teams at the end of the challenge.
Three to five member teams receive pedometers to track the number of steps taken and results are logged online. Prizes are awarded weekly, with grand prizes presented to winning teams at the end of the challenge.
Montgomery County’s Car Free Day Encourages Commuters to Try Transit, Walking or Biking
Montgomery County joined the D.C. region and Commuter Connections in celebrating World Car Free Day on Monday, September 22. Encouraged to “Put It Away – Uncar for a Day,” commuters signed pledges to go Car Free – or Car Lite.
Montgomery County Commuter Services (MCCS) staff held prize drawings and provided information on transportation options from 6:30 to 9 a.m. at the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Shady Grove and White Flint metro stations and the Germantown and Silver Spring Ride On transit centers.
International Car Free Day is an annual, worldwide event that encourages the public to find alternatives to using cars or to reduce the amount of driving they do. Using transit, biking and walking – instead of driving – reduces noise, pollution and stress.
MCCS offers assistance to finding “Better Ways to Work,” year-round by walking, taking transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking or teleworking.
Montgomery County Commuter Services (MCCS) staff held prize drawings and provided information on transportation options from 6:30 to 9 a.m. at the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Shady Grove and White Flint metro stations and the Germantown and Silver Spring Ride On transit centers.
International Car Free Day is an annual, worldwide event that encourages the public to find alternatives to using cars or to reduce the amount of driving they do. Using transit, biking and walking – instead of driving – reduces noise, pollution and stress.
MCCS offers assistance to finding “Better Ways to Work,” year-round by walking, taking transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking or teleworking.
Even Easier Ways to Use Ride On Available for Young People
Purchase Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® at Libraries and Schools
Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system has made it easier for residents to purchase the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card for customers ages 18 years and younger. The card can now be obtained at all 21 County libraries and 20 of the County’s schools. Ride On is continuing to work with both public and private schools in the County to add additional school purchase locations. Check the County’s website for the current list of schools. Home-schooled students will also be eligible to purchase the card. The cost of the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card is $2.00.
Expanded Hours for Kids Ride Free
The County Council approved extending the hours for Kids Ride Free an additional hour, from 2 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. The extended hours began July 1. Previously, the program ended at 7 p.m. Kids Ride Free provides free rides on Ride On buses (and most Metro buses within Montgomery County) to youth ages 5 through 18. Ride On will be transitioning by the end of this year to using Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® cards for identification instead of school identification cards.
Buying a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® Card
Proof of age and County residence is required to obtain a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card. Riders or their parents must purchase the card in person. The Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® Card is also available at the TRiPS Commuter stores at 8413 Ramsey Avenue, Silver Spring and 17 Wisconsin Circle, Friendship Heights; and the Montgomery County Division of Treasury, at 255 Rockville Pike, Suite L-15. Monthly passes and stored value can also be added to the card at some CVS and Giant stores in or near Montgomery County, and the Gaithersburg and Wheaton Zodiac Stores, as well as online.
Youth Cruiser Passes Can be Loaded onto SmarTrip® Card
All Ride On Youth Cruiser passes (monthly and summer) can be loaded onto the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card. The Youth Monthly pass provides kids unlimited rides on Ride On for only $11 a calendar month. This is a significant savings over regular fares. Stored value (cash) can also be loaded onto the cards for regular use- not pass use- on Metrorail, non-Montgomery Metrobuses, and other carriers.
Go online for Ride On schedules fares, and information about RideOnRealTime or like Ride On on Facebook.
Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system has made it easier for residents to purchase the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card for customers ages 18 years and younger. The card can now be obtained at all 21 County libraries and 20 of the County’s schools. Ride On is continuing to work with both public and private schools in the County to add additional school purchase locations. Check the County’s website for the current list of schools. Home-schooled students will also be eligible to purchase the card. The cost of the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card is $2.00.
Expanded Hours for Kids Ride Free
The County Council approved extending the hours for Kids Ride Free an additional hour, from 2 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. The extended hours began July 1. Previously, the program ended at 7 p.m. Kids Ride Free provides free rides on Ride On buses (and most Metro buses within Montgomery County) to youth ages 5 through 18. Ride On will be transitioning by the end of this year to using Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® cards for identification instead of school identification cards.
Buying a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® Card
Proof of age and County residence is required to obtain a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card. Riders or their parents must purchase the card in person. The Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® Card is also available at the TRiPS Commuter stores at 8413 Ramsey Avenue, Silver Spring and 17 Wisconsin Circle, Friendship Heights; and the Montgomery County Division of Treasury, at 255 Rockville Pike, Suite L-15. Monthly passes and stored value can also be added to the card at some CVS and Giant stores in or near Montgomery County, and the Gaithersburg and Wheaton Zodiac Stores, as well as online.
Youth Cruiser Passes Can be Loaded onto SmarTrip® Card
All Ride On Youth Cruiser passes (monthly and summer) can be loaded onto the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card. The Youth Monthly pass provides kids unlimited rides on Ride On for only $11 a calendar month. This is a significant savings over regular fares. Stored value (cash) can also be loaded onto the cards for regular use- not pass use- on Metrorail, non-Montgomery Metrobuses, and other carriers.
Go online for Ride On schedules fares, and information about RideOnRealTime or like Ride On on Facebook.
State Highway Administration Reopens Eastern Leg of Cedar Lane in Bethesda
The State Highway Administration (SHA) has reopened the eastern leg of Cedar Lane from Elmhirst Parkway to MD 355 (Rockville Pike) in Bethesda. The closure began in early June as part of the $13.8 million Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) intersection improvement project.
Crews constructed culverts, repaved all traffic lanes and applied new pavement markings within the work zone. While the road is now open to traffic, the 1,000-foot section of Cedar Lane near MD 355 is still an active work zone. Continuing construction activity may require sidewalk closures in this section of Cedar Lane through late 2014. Pedestrians may be directed to safe crossings within the work zone via orange construction signs, cones, barrels and fencing.
Drivers are asked to stay alert, slow down and avoid tailgating. Look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.
(Source: Maryland State Highway Administration)
Crews constructed culverts, repaved all traffic lanes and applied new pavement markings within the work zone. While the road is now open to traffic, the 1,000-foot section of Cedar Lane near MD 355 is still an active work zone. Continuing construction activity may require sidewalk closures in this section of Cedar Lane through late 2014. Pedestrians may be directed to safe crossings within the work zone via orange construction signs, cones, barrels and fencing.
Drivers are asked to stay alert, slow down and avoid tailgating. Look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.
(Source: Maryland State Highway Administration)
Metro Selects Developer for Grosvenor-Strathmore Joint Development Site
Metro has selected a development team led by Streetscape Partners, LLC for its site at the Grosvenor Metrorail Station. The team is proposing to build about 550 residential units and 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. In support of Metro’s sustainability program, the proposed development will be required to achieve, at a minimum, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification.
(Source: Metro News Release)
(Source: Metro News Release)
WSSC Work on Veirs Mill Road May Require Lane Closures
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is replacing a one-mile stretch of a 24-inch aging water main and valves along Veirs Mill Road in Rockville.
The work will require some lane closures during the day and at night between September and December. When lanes are closed at night, they will reopen by 5 a.m. Two electronic signs on Veirs Mill Road notify drivers of upcoming work.
The original water main is 58 years old. The project began in April 2013 and is expected to be finished in December 2014, weather permitting.
(Source: WSSC)
The work will require some lane closures during the day and at night between September and December. When lanes are closed at night, they will reopen by 5 a.m. Two electronic signs on Veirs Mill Road notify drivers of upcoming work.
The original water main is 58 years old. The project began in April 2013 and is expected to be finished in December 2014, weather permitting.
(Source: WSSC)
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