SHA Resurfacing MD 119 and Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive in Gaithersburg; Will Include Off-Peak Nighttime Lane Closures

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) this week began resurfacing the intersection of MD 119 (Great Seneca Highway) at Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive. All work should be completed by mid-June, weather permitting.

The resurfacing is part of a safety and congestion-relief project that began in 2014. So far, crews have completed the following improvements:

• Extended the left turn lane on westbound Orchard Ridge Drive;

• Modified the median on Orchard Ridge Drive;

• Modified the median and realigned the crosswalk on the northern leg of MD 119; and

• Constructed sidewalk ramps and detectable warning surfaces for ADA compliance.

Crews will remove the top layer of asphalt and apply new asphalt and pavement markings to all lanes in the intersection. Crews may close two lanes to traffic each night, Sunday through Thursday, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Read more.

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management Wins Two Awards from International Parking Institute

The Capital Crescent Garage #31 is located at 7171 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda.

In addition to winning the International Parking Institute’s (IPI) Award of Excellence for its Capital Crescent Garage, Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management also won a Parking Matters® Marketing and Communications award, which recognizes outstanding parking related marketing, public relations, or communications programs and campaigns.

Accepting the awards are MCDOT's Jeff Reise and Jeremy Souders.

Using social media and its website, the Division of Parking Management developed a creative campaign using colorful graphics to promote its innovative programs. These innovations include solar powered smart parking meters, electric vehicle charging stations, pay by cell technology, real time signs and mobile applications that indicate parking space availability in garages, a digital permit that eliminates the need for paper permits in vehicles parked in restricted areas, a system that enables parkers to preregister their vehicle and exit a garage without stopping to pay, and a parking boot that allows delinquent parkers to pay their tickets by cell phone without being towed.

More information about IPI is available online. 

Planning Department Launches Bike Stress Map; Asks for Help in Identifying Connections Not Listed

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Bicycle Master Plan team has evaluated more than 3,500 miles of roads and trails in the County to determine the amount of traffic stress that people experience when bicycling on them. The map is intended to help planners understand impediments to bicycling and to identify and prioritize the changes that are needed to create a low-stress bicycling environment for the 50 percent of adults who say they would be interested in bicycling, but do not currently ride because they are concerned for their safety. See the map.

In addition, help from the public is requested to identify existing off-road bicycle connections that are not currently reflected on the map. These include connections such as 1) paths between cul-de-sacs, 2) bikeable routes through public spaces, and 3) connections between neighborhoods. Click on the map to provide information about the connection.

 (Source: Park and Planning website)

WABA to Sponsor Bike Safety Class

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is sponsoring a City Cycling bike safety class to enhance cycling confidence for those 16 and older. The class will be held Saturday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad on Battery Lane in Bethesda. The class is free for Capital Bikeshare and WABA members and $10 for others.

Preregistration is recommended. Read more.

 

MCDOT Celebrated Bike to Work Day - May 20

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Commuter Services sponsored six of 83 regional pit stops for Bike to Work Day.  Raffles were held at each pit stop to give away great prizes and a grand prize of a new bicycle. 

MCDOT sponsored pit stops were held at the following locations:

Bethesda Location: Reed Street, corner of Woodmont & Bethesda Aves

(near Capital Crescent Trail)- view on map
Pit Stop Time: 6:30 am to 9:00 am

North Bethesda – U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Plaza Location: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Plaza (across the street from the White Flint Metro Station)
Address: 11555 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD  20852

Pit Stop Time: 6:30 am to 8:30 am

Rockville – Fallsgrove Location: Fallsgrove Village Center (Smoothie King parking lot)

Address: 14941 Shady Grove Road, Rockville MD 20850

Pit Stop Time: 6:30 to 8:30 am

Friendship Heights Location: Wisconsin Place Plaza (Wisconsin & Western Avenues) adjacent to the Metro station.
Address: 5311 Friendship Blvd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Pit Stop Time: 6:30 am to 9:00 am

Rockville Town Center Location: Rockville Town Center (in front of Dawson’s Market)

Address: 225 N. Washington St. Rockville, MD 20850
Pit Stop Time: 6:30 am to 9:00 am

Silver Spring – Discovery Place Location: Georgia and Wayne Aves – view on map
Pit Stop Time: 6:30 am to 9:00 am

County Executive Leggett Designates the Week of May 15 as Transportation Week

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has proclaimed the week of May 15 as Transportation Week, joining communities across the country in recognizing the importance of transportation infrastructure to the economy, safety and well-being of communities. 

MCDOT Wins Funding for Bus Rapid Transit Station Design

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has been awarded $80,000 from the Transportation Safety Board’s Transportation/Land-Use Connections Program to create a conceptual design for the County’s future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations. The design will outline the components needed for the station, such as seating, heat, lighting and other elements. The project will create a template that is customizable for adjacent land uses, the local environment, and projected ridership through the use of modular elements. Cost estimates will also be developed. 

More information about Transportation/Land-Use Connections Program is available online.