51st Montgomery County Bikeshare Station Installed in Silver Spring

Montgomery County's Bikeshare network has expanded to 51 stations with the installation of a new station this month in Silver Spring. The station is located at Spring Street and Second Avenue. Silver Spring now has 16 stations.

More information about Bikeshare is available online as are maps of all the station locations.

Ride On Wins Award

Ride On was named Employer of the Year by Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC). Ride On contracts with CSAAC to employ autistic individuals who distribute timetables at Metro and MARC stations.

Learn more about CSAAC online.

Washington Region Launches Fall Street Smart Pedestrian Safety Campaign

With the shorter hours of daylight at this time of year, it’s more important than ever for people to take care as they drive, walk and bike. Street Smart launched a fall safety campaign to remind area drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists to pay attention and obey traffic safety laws. To make sure they do, area police have stepped up enforcement during November and will ticket and fine violators – whether on foot, a bike or behind the wheel. Street Smart reminds everyone to share the road and look out for each other.

Fall and winter can be the most dangerous times of the year for pedestrians. When out in the dark, bicyclists and pedestrians are urged to wear reflective items or flashing lights to ensure they are visible to drivers. Never assume drivers see you when you are in the road.

The Street Smart campaign offers the following safety tips:

• If you’re driving, look twice for people in crosswalks and stop for walkers and bicyclists.

• If you’re biking, ride in the direction of traffic and stop at red lights.

• And if you’re walking, cross in the crosswalk and wait for the "walk" signal.

Learn more about the campaign.

Montgomery Parks to Clear Capital Crescent Trail This Winter

Montgomery Parks has announced that beginning this season, it will clear snow from the 3.5 miles of the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) within its jurisdiction -- Bethesda Avenue to the Montgomery County/District of Columbia line -- and 12 CCT feeder trails. However, the snow removal program will not include salting the trail or ice removal. The County Council approved $75,000 for effort.

Montgomery County’s Division of Highway Services removes snow from major, on-street and off-street, paved, County-maintained, multi-use trails, such as the Bethesda Trolley Trail.

During Winter Storms and Other Emergencies, Ride On May Institute its ‘S’ Plan

When snow, storms or other special circumstances occur that affect Ride On’s ability to follow normal weekday schedules, Ride On may operate under the 'S' Service Plan. Under this plan, Ride On attempts to maintain some bus service on all its routes even when conditions prevent staying on a regular schedule. 

The announcement to operate an S Service Plan will be made by 4 a.m. on the day the plan goes into effect. Find out by checking online, Facebook or Twitter or listen to local radio or television stations for an announcement.

Information about the ‘S’ Service Plan is also available en español.

County Prepared for Snowy Winter – Are You?

A few weeks ago, the Division of Highway Services (DHS) held its annual Snow Summit and Winter Storm Exercise to ensure that the County is prepared for what weather forecasters are predicting will be a colder, snowier winter season.  As part of its preparations, DHS has fully stocked salt barns to capacity with 85,000 tons of salt.

At the Snow Summit, officials from all County agencies with snow removal responsibilities assess their readiness for winter storms and discuss new initiatives. DHS Chief Keith Compton discussed the Road Weather Information System that consists of four pavement monitoring stations strategically placed in areas of the County that experience different microclimates. The stations monitor pavement temperature, humidity, dew point, ambient temperature and “grip factor.” When environmental conditions are conducive to producing black ice, ice or slippery conditions, the stations send DHS automatic text messages so it can take proactive measures to treat pavement.

During the all-day Winter Storm Exercise, DHS simulated its response to a six-inch snow storm, testing the preparedness of the County’s snow plans and fleet. Snow plow operators ran their routes on the nearly 5,000 lane miles of County-maintained roads.

Sign up for Alert Montgomery now to get real time emergency information about weather conditions and the status of County services during winter storms. 

Follow MCDOT on Twitter

Two more ways to get the latest news for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are now available. 

Follow us on Twitter @MCDOTNow or sign up to be notified of the latest news releases posted on MCDOT’s website through our RSS feed. 

Ceremony Honors Award Winners of the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Annual Beautification and Amateur Photography Competitions

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) celebrated 71 winners of its 28th annual Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) community beautification awards. Fifty-five amateur photographers were also honored and two Clean Sweep Awards for the Adopt A Road were presented.

The beautification competition is open to community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned sections of commercial or residential properties. Landscaping can also take place along County roadsides, medians or other public locations.

More than 20 years ago, concerned volunteers formed the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Task Force to work with the County to develop beautification projects and anti-litter and recycling programs. The group also conducts public education to change resident attitudes about littering and graffiti. Business and organization sponsors that assist MCDOT in staging this annual ceremony included the Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Florist. Read More.