Go Montgomery! March 19, 2018

MCDOT FY 17 Annual Report Now Available Last year was a busy one for MCDOT with the award of a $10 million TIGER grant for the U.S.29 BRT, launch of the Wheaton Revitalization Project, expansion of Bikeshare to Wheaton, start of a major White Flint transformation project and so much more. See report online. MCDOT’s Approach to Roadway Salt Use: Apply the Minimum Amount Necessary to Ensure Safety Using salt on County roadways during winter storms is a balancing act. Salt use protects travelers and can save lives. But using too much salt can have environmental impacts. That is why MCDOT uses the minimum amount of salt necessary to ensure public safety. Read more. MCDOT’s Mobile Commuter Store Comes to You Upcounty, downcounty, and all around -- the Mobile Commuter Store is on the move to provide valuable one-on-one transportation assistance in your area. Add value or purchase SmarTrip cards, buy Ride On passes and more. Check the weekly schedule or learn more about the Mobile Commuter Store. Resurfacing Program Resumes Spring brings the resumption of MCDOT’s Highway Services road repaving program and replacement and repairs to sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Check out the projectsplanned for your neighborhood this season. Ride On Conducting Customer Survey Let Ride On know your preferred way of getting information about the bus system and rate your experience with the service. Take a quick, 10-question survey online. MCDOT to Hold Ride On Roadeo The Ride On Roadeo encourages drivers to demonstrate their skills to family, friends and co-workers. The winner goes on to compete against other bus drivers from around the world. Read more about the International Bus Roadeo sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association.  Visit MCDOT's Booth at the 4th Annual Montgomery County GreenFest on May 5 The 4th Annual Greenfest, Montgomery County’s largest environmental festival, will take place on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event will be held at Jesup Blair Park in Silver Spring. Read more. March 19, 2018 *REMINDER: During winter storms, go to the County’s snow portal for the latest about closures, preparing for storms and emergency information. Upcoming MCDOT Resurfacing and Concrete Projects Mt. Pisgah Road, Silver Spring, paving Wheaton Woods, Rockville, residential roadway resurfacing  Update on Wheaton Revitalization  Key activities this week include installing plumbing for the geothermal system and continued demolition of the Mid-County Regional Services Center. Read more.  In Spanish.

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Go Montgomery! February 28, 2018

MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Establishing Residential Permit Parking in Purple Line Impact Areas in East Silver Spring A public hearing will be held Wednesday, February 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Silver Spring Civic Building. Learn more. Safety Tips for Biking Thinking about trying out bikeshare or taking advantage of the County’s new protected bike lanes? Stay safe by following Street Smart biking tips.  Two Red Line Stations to Close for Maintenance This Summer From July 21 through Labor Day, Metro will shut down the Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations on the Red Line for maintenance and conduct other projects this summer and fall that will affect every line. Read more. Exhibitors and Vendors Can Register for 4th Annual Montgomery County GreenFest to be Held May 5 The 4th Annual Greenfest, Montgomery County’s largest environmental festival, will take place on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event will be held at Jesup Blair Park in Silver Spring. Online registration is now open. Read more. Single Lane Closures Planned Along Rockville Pike in March and April as Construction Begins on Intersection Improvements As part of MCDOT’s MD 355 Crossing Project at the Medical Center Metro Station, single lane closures are planned for weekdays during March and April between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as construction begins on intersection Improvements at Rockville Pike/Jones Bridge Road/Center Drive and at Rockville Pike/Woodmont Avenue.  Read more. Mobile Commuter Store is On the Go Want to buy Ride On passes or MARC train tickets or purchase or add value to a SmarTrip card? Stop by MCDOT’s Mobile Commuter Store for these and other commuter services or one-on-one assistance. Check the store’s upcoming schedule for a location near you.  Consider SoberRide for a Free Ride Home on St. Patrick’s Day Celebrating on St. Patrick's Day? SoberRide is a great option for getting home safely. Get a FREE ride (up to $15). Learn more. Public Hearing Planned Concerning Abandonment of a Portion of Reed Street A public hearing is planned to obtain public input on a proposed abandonment of a 3,303-square-foot portion of Reed Street in Bethesda. The hearing will be held on Wednesday March 28, at 7 p.m., in the Executive Office Building Lobby Auditorium, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville. Read more. February 28, 2018 Upcoming MCDOT Resurfacing and Concrete Projects Westchester Drive, Silver Spring residential roadway resurfacing project Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring concrete replacement project Blair Subdivision Phase II, Silver Spring concrete repair and replacement project Wheaton Woods Phase II, Aspen Hill concrete repair and replacement project Latest Update on Wheaton  Revitalization Project - Demolition of the Regional Services Center Building has begun. Read more about the project’s progress. Crucial Wheaton-Area Community Services Open in New Permanent Spot - With the closing of the Mid County Regional Services Center, Proyecto Salud Clinic, the Gilchrist Immigration Resource Center, the Adult Behavioral Health Program and Mid County United Ministries are now open in their new permanent homes. Read more. Information on Wheaton Revitalization Now Available in Spanish - See the County’s website. Regional Services Center Demolition

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Go Montgomery! February 15, 2018

County Efforts to Eliminate Grosvenor Turnbacks May Be Successful According to the Washington Post In October 2017, County Executive Ike Leggett sent a letter to WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld requesting that all Red Line Metrorail trains continue through to the Shady Grove Station instead of alternating trains turning back at the Grosvenor Station. The Montgomery County Council, members of the County’s delegationto the Maryland General Assembly and residents also testified in favor of eliminating the turnbacks. MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on February 28 to Consider Creation of Purple Line Parking Impact Areas MCDOT wants public input on a proposal to create several new Residential Permit Parking Areas (RPPAs) in East Silver Spring in neighborhoods within 4,000 feet of Purple Line light rail stations.   *Public Hearing Notice.   *RPPA Frequently Asked Questions:    English and En Espanol.   *RPPA Guidelines Executive Regulation.   *Map of Proposed RPPA Areas. MCDOT to Hold Three US 29 BRT Open Houses in March Learn more about the Bus Rapid Transit system planned for US 29 at an open house. Attend one of the events on March 15, 20 or 21 in Silver Spring or White Oak. See details about the open houses.  Roadway Resurfacing Projects to Resume in March MCDOT’s Highway Services Division will resume paving projects next month, weather permitting. Paving projects will start in the Wyngate Neighborhood, Bethesda and Rosemary Hills, Silver Spring. Public Meeting Planned About Proposed Goldsboro Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements MCDOT seeks public input on proposed improvements to one-mile of Goldsboro Road between MacArthur Boulevard and River Road. The public meeting will be held Thursday, March 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Walt Whitman High School Cafeteria, 7100 Whittier Boulevard, Bethesda. Read more. Ride On Bus Operator Oralee Jackson Received Kudos from a Satisfied Customer Ride On recently received an email about Oralee Jackson’s exceptional customer service. The passenger said that Jackson is “….an excellent driver. She is on time and keeps the bus warm for us….. She is always smiling and ready to do her job. I truly would like to give her ‘Kudos’ for her service to us. My commute is long in the morning, but I look forward to getting into her bus.” Update on the Wheaton Revitalization Project Excavation for the building foundation is complete. Demolition of the Regional Services Center Building has begun and is expected to take about six weeks to complete.  View construction on the site.   MCDOT and Connect-A-Ride Sponsoring Ride Smart Public Transit Travel Training on March 7 and 8 Ride Smart is a free, public transit, travel training workshop for those ages 50 and older. Learn how to comfortably travel on Ride On, Metro bus, Metrorail; get a Senior SmartTrip card; and more at the two-day workshop. Read more. Learn More About Transportation Options for Seniors and Disabled Adults from Connect-A-Ride The Jewish Council for the Aging's (JSA) Connect-A-Ride is a free information and referral service about transportation options for seniors and disabled adults in Montgomery County.  For more information call 301-738-3252 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email ConnectARide@AccessJCA.org,  Older Driver Safety Education and Resources Montgomery County’s departments of Police and Health and Human Services have partnered with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to educate the public about older driver safety. Read more. February 15, 2018 Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Ride On Bus Operator Commended by Passenger Ride On passenger Rebecca Nelson forgot her travel case on a Ride On bus, but the bus driver, Vance Young, found it and, thanks to a luggage tag with contact information, personally called Nelson within two hours to tell her how to retrieve the bag from Ride On’s Lost and Found. Nelson wrote to Ride On to express her appreciation, stating Young’s action “…is TRULY one of the kindest gestures I have ever experienced. In life’s busy and stressful times, many people don’t take time to help someone.”   Community Meeting Held to Discuss Dockless Bikeshare A community meeting gave residents an opportunity to learn more about the County’s dockless bikeshare pilot project in Silver Spring and Takoma Park and discuss suggestions with representatives of the bikeshare companies. MCDOT prepared a flyer that summarizes the do’s and don’ts for using and parking bikes. See flyer.   Let Metro Know by February 5 That You Want All Red Line Trains Extended to Shady Grove In 2015, the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority Board committed to extending all Red Line service to Shady Grove beginning July 2018; currently, about half of Red Line trains turn back at Grosvenor. Let Metro know your opinion by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 5. Read more. County Executive’s Proposed Capital Budget Includes Funds to Improve Alternatives to Interim Georgetown Branch Trail County Executive Isiah Leggett’s proposed capital budget includes about $3 million for construction of protected bike lanes and other bicycle infrastructure improvements in Bethesda. The funds will be used to further enhance alternative routes until the Interim Georgetown Branch Trail, which is now closed, is rebuilt as part of the Purple Line project. Read more.  Planning Board to Hold Public Hearing in Germantown on Draft MARC Rail Communities Sector Plan The Montgomery Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 1, at 7 p.m. The Plan makes recommendations for land use and zoning focusing on the areas around the Germantown and Boyds MARC train stations. Read more. Seniors and Disabled Adults - Learn More About Available Transportation Services Connect-A-Ride is a free information and referral service about transportation options for seniors and disabled adults in Montgomery County. Ride Smart is a free, public transit, travel training workshop for those aged 50 or older. More information is available by calling 301-738-3252 Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm or emailing ConnectARide@AccessJCA.org. Metro Has Begun Rush Hour Promise Service Guarantee Metro's Board of Directors began the Rush Hour Promise program, a first-of-its-kind service guarantee for Metro customers on Metrorail or Metrobus using a registered SmarTrip® card. If their trip is delayed by 15 minutes or more, Metro will credit the customer's card for future travel. Read more. MDOT MTA Partners with Zipcar to Provide Car-Sharing Options The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) is partnering with Zipcar to add 15 Zipcars at eight Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink and MARC Train stations. Read more.  January 31, 2018 Subscribe Here

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.